Half-And-Half Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing
A refreshing salad featuring two distinct dressings for the pasta and vegetables, creating a vibrant, balanced dish with no overpowering flavors. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs Penne pasta, Cherry tomatoes, 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 290 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 1 pint, halved Cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced Cucumber
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced Red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped Fresh basil
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 9 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion. Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and toss gently.
- Step 3: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 4: Add the cooled penne pasta to the vegetable bowl, then drizzle with 3/4 of the lemon-herb dressing. Toss until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Gently fold in the remaining dressing and serve immediately, or chill for 1 hour to let flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-And-Half Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (25 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 Half-And-Half Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-And-Half Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing?
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 Half-And-Half Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Half-And-Half Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing 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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
