Cucumber Pasta Salad

Two delicious summer salads combine to create this creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad. The perfect side dish for all your summer barbecues.

Two delicious summer salads combine to create this creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad. The perfect side dish for all your summer barbecues.

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Meet the new salad of summer, Cucumber Pasta Salad. It’s cool and fresh and creamy. It combines my top two favorite summer sides, cucumber salad and pasta salad so I knew it was going to be a good one.

It’s a little bit tangy and a little bit sweet with the delicious crunch of cucumbers throughout. I promise it will be a big hit at your next summer cookout.

Ingredients for Cucumber Pasta Salad

Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy cucumber pasta salad:

  • Cucumber: I like to use english cucumbers for this recipe. They have more flavor and less seeds. Peel and scoop out the seeds before slicing.
  • Kosher salt: For flavor and to draw out the excess liquid from the cucumbers. More on that later.
  • Short cut pasta: You can use bowties like I did or any other type of short cut pasta. Elbows, penne, rotini, shells, whatever you have on hand.
  • Mayo: For the creamy factor.
  • Sour cream: Adds more creaminess and a tanginess that is really yummy with the cucumbers.
  • Apple cider vinegar: I like a little acid to make a creamy, slightly tangy dressing. You could also use white vinegar or red wine vinegar.
  • Granulated sugar: To balance out the acid from the vinegar.
  • Dried dill: Dill and cucumbers belong together always in my book.
  • Onion powder: Adds additional flavor and a little extra interest to the dressing.
  • Black pepper: For a little spice.

How to Prep the Cucumbers

Start by peeling the cucumber. Next, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise.

Take a spoon and drag it down the middle of the cucumber to remove the seeds and mush.

Now slice each half into thin slices and add them to a colander. Set it in the sink or over a bowl.

Sprinkle the salt over the sliced cucumbers then toss well to ensure they are all coated. Now let them sit for 30 minutes. This process removes the excess water in cucumbers.

After the 30 minutes is up, shake the colander well over the sink to remove as much extra water as you can.

If you skip this step, the cucumbers will slowly release their water in the pasta salad and create a water, soggy situation.

How to Prepare the Cucumber Pasta Salad

While the pasta is cooking, mix up the dressing. Whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, onion powder and pepper. Stir in the prepared cucumbers.

Once the pasta has cooked, rinse it under cool water and shake off excess water. Add to the cucumbers and stir to coat. You can eat it right away or store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

It does taste better if it sits for a few hours so keep that in mind. But it’s still great right away too.

More Pasta Salads to Try this Summer

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Cucumber Pasta Salad

Two delicious summer salads combine to create this creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad. The perfect side dish for all your summer barbecues.
Prep Time40 minutes
Active Time10 hours
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cucumber pasta salad
Yield: 5 servings
Author: Meghan Payne-Hensley

Ingredients

  • 1 english cucumber
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 lb. short cut pasta
  • 3/4 cup mayo
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp. dried dill
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. onion powder

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cool water and drain well. Set aside.
  • Meanwhile, peel cucumber and slice in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds. Slice into thin half moon slices. Place sliced cucumber in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat. Let sit for 30 minutes in the sink or over a bowl to drain. Once 30 minutes is up, shake to get all the extra water off the cucumbers.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, pepper and onion powder. Add cucumbers and pasta and toss to coat. Enjoy right away or refrigerate for a few hours for even more flavor.

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