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This easy cucumber tomato pasta salad recipe is made with crisp cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh herbs in Italian dressing. It’s a delicious side dish perfect for potlucks and cookouts all summer long!
Pasta salads are one of my favorite summer side dishes because they are so easy to put together and can be made in advance. And this cucumber tomato pasta salad Italian dressing recipe is probably one of the easiest pasta salad recipes ever!
I make this delicious salad with crisp cucumbers, juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy cheese and tender pasta, along with fresh herbs for added flavor. To keep this easy recipe as simple as possible, I add some bottled Italian salad dressing. The flavors are perfectly balanced, and this easy cold pasta salad is refreshing and absolutely delicious! Even my pickiest eater approves!
If you’re craving more recipes with cucumbers, try this cucumber tomato salad or creamy cucumber salad or watermelon cucumber salad next.
What You Need
Here are the basic ingredients. Full amounts are listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Pasta — I like fusilli or rotini as these corkscrew pastas hold the dressing and herbs. You get full flavor in every bite!
- Cucumber — English or Persian cucumbers are good because you don’t have to peel them. But, you can use your favorite kind here.
- Grape tomatoes — or cherry tomatoes work well because they are bite sized. You can just as easily cut up a larger tomato if that’s what you have.
- Mozzarella — the smaller pearls are easy to toss in the salad and add a delicious creaminess
- Fresh herbs — I used fresh basil and parsley for a little extra flavor
- Italian dressing — I used Olive Garden dressing, as it’s a little thicker and creamier, but any kind will work
How to Make Cucumber Tomato Pasta Salad
First, cook the pasta according to package directions, drain it, and rinse in a colander under cold water. While the pasta cools, prep the tomatoes and cucumber and herbs. Toss everything together in a large bowl. I like to sprinkle the herbs on top of the salad for presentation. Cover, and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
Quick Tips
Don’t skip rinsing the pasta as this will stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming too soft.
You may want to add a little more dressing before serving as the pasta will absorb the dressing as it sits.
If you are using larger cherry tomatoes, you may want to slice them in half.
Storing the Salad
Store tomato cucumber pasta salad covered in the refrigerator in an airtight container or topped with plastic wrap. You can make it a day ahead of time. The leftovers keep fresh for about 3-4 days before becoming a little too soft.
Variations
You can use most short pasta shapes in this salad. Cavatappi or penne pasta will work well here.
Homemade Italian dressing would be great!
You can sub feta for the mozzarella, and add a chopped red onion or red bell peppers for extra crunch.
Make this more of a main dish by adding your favorite protein, like sliced ham, diced chicken, chickpeas or shrimp.
More Pasta Salads to Try
My chicken bacon ranch salad is a reader favorite. You may also enjoy Italian pasta salad or Greek pasta salad or this simple tortellini salad, as well.
Easy Cucumber Tomato Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 English cucumber rinsed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes rinsed
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- ¼ cup chopped basil
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook pasta until just al dente in salted boiling water
- Drain in colander, and rinse with cold water
- Slice cucumber in half, then into half moon shapes
- Add cooled pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes and cheese to a large bowl. Toss with dressing, and sprinkle fresh herbs on top
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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