Discount Sedan Pasta Salad
A refreshing, no-cook pasta salad with crisp vegetables and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a light lunch. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs fusilli pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 medium, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz fusilli in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool (about 2 minutes).
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp dried oregano until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled 8 oz fusilli, 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1/2 medium cucumber diced, and 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped.
- Step 4: Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated, ensuring the salad is well-moistened but not soggy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Discount Sedan Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Discount Sedan Pasta Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep fusilli pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Discount Sedan Pasta Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Discount Sedan Pasta Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Discount Sedan Pasta Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
