Cucumber Pasta Salad Recipe
A light and refreshing cucumber pasta salad featuring rotini pasta tossed with a creamy coconut milk dressing, fresh cucumbers, red onions, and dill. Perfect for a quick lunch or a side dish at gatherings, this salad combines crisp vegetables with a tangy, flavorful dressing that is dairy-free and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 16 oz. rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 2 cups sliced cucumbers (about 1/8″ thick)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing
- 1 (13.5 oz.) can coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped dill + more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and immediately drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with a couple pinches of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss well to coat the noodles evenly and set aside to cool completely.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the coconut milk, vinegar (assuming white or apple cider vinegar as typical for such dressings), olive oil, chopped fresh dill, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder. Season with a couple large pinches of kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
- Combine the salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, sliced cucumbers, and thinly sliced red onions.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared coconut milk dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to evenly coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the salad with additional fresh chopped dill. Serve immediately or refrigerate for a chilled pasta salad experience and enjoy!
Notes
- For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the dressing to soak into the pasta.
- You can substitute rotini with fusilli or penne if preferred.
- This salad is dairy-free and can be a great option for those with lactose intolerance.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on dietary needs.
- To add protein, consider tossing in cooked grilled chicken or chickpeas.
Keywords: cucumber pasta salad, coconut milk dressing, rotini pasta salad, dairy-free pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad recipe
Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/cucumber-pasta-salad-recipe/