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Fresh Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Refreshing Summer Twist

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A quick and refreshing cucumber pasta salad perfect for summer, featuring crisp cucumbers, tender pasta, and a tangy yogurt-lemon dressing with fresh dill.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) small pasta shapes like rotini or elbow macaroni
  • 2 medium English cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional add-ins: cherry tomatoes halved, sliced radishes, toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While the pasta cooks, thinly slice 2 English cucumbers. If not using English cucumbers, peel and seed regular cucumbers before slicing to avoid excess bitterness and wateriness. Place sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Finely chop 1/4 cup red onion and 2 tablespoons fresh dill. Mince 1 garlic clove. Add all to the cucumbers.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, zest and juice of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon honey, and the minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The dressing should be creamy but light and tangy.
  5. Add the cooled pasta to the cucumber mixture. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and the salad chill. Before serving, give it a final stir and sprinkle extra fresh dill or some toasted pine nuts if desired.

Notes

To avoid soggy pasta salad, rinse pasta under cold water after cooking and slice cucumbers thinly. Adjust dressing thickness by adding water or olive oil if needed. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Add delicate toppings like nuts or herbs just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, refreshing salad, cucumber recipe, yogurt dressing, quick salad

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/fresh-cucumber-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-refreshing-summer-twist/