Gel-Infused Cooling Vegetable Pasta Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-15 · Updated 2026-05-15

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A refreshing cold pasta salad packed with gel-infused vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette, perfect for summer meals. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 28 minutes, pairs penne pasta, gel-infused cucumber, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 13 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta
1 cup, diced gel-infused cucumber
1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
1 medium, diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz penne pasta and cook for 11-13 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
Step 3: Add the cooled pasta along with 1 cup diced gel-infused cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently to combine.
Step 4: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss once more. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.