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Fresh Creamy Cucumber Dill Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Summer Side Dish

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A fresh and creamy cucumber dill pasta salad with feta and cherry tomatoes, perfect for summer gatherings. This quick and easy recipe combines crisp cucumbers, tangy feta, and a silky Greek yogurt-based dressing for a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
  • 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 ounces (115 g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • ½ cup (120 ml) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. Drain well and set aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, wash and dry the cucumber and cherry tomatoes. Slice the cucumber thinly or dice it if preferred. Halve the cherry tomatoes evenly.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup (120 ml) plain Greek yogurt, ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, and 1 small minced garlic clove. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill until smooth and creamy.
  5. In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly, being careful not to mash the tomatoes or cucumbers.
  6. Sprinkle 4 ounces (115 g) of crumbled feta over the salad. Fold it in gently to keep the feta somewhat chunky.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and pasta to soak up dressing.
  8. Before serving, gently toss the salad and taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Avoid overcooking pasta to keep texture firm. Rinse pasta in cold water to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Use fresh dill for best flavor; dried dill can be substituted but with less vibrant taste. Reserve some dressing to add after chilling if salad seems dry. Letting the salad rest in the fridge improves flavor. For dairy-free, substitute Greek yogurt and feta with plant-based alternatives. To reduce cucumber wateriness, lightly salt slices and pat dry before mixing.

Nutrition

Keywords: cucumber dill pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, feta pasta salad, cherry tomato salad, easy pasta salad, Greek yogurt dressing

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/fresh-creamy-cucumber-dill-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-summer-side-dish/