Half-Cup Herb Pasta Salad
A vibrant, no-cook pasta salad with perfectly balanced portions of fresh herbs and vegetables, ideal for a light lunch or picnic. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 27 minutes pairs uncooked elbow 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 320 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
- 1/2 cup uncooked elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cucumber
- 2 tbsp fresh basil
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1/2 cup uncooked elbow pasta and cook for 7 minutes until al dente, then drain immediately and rinse under cold water until cooled.
- Step 2: While pasta cools, combine 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1/2 cup diced cucumber, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil in a large bowl.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified, then pour over the drained pasta and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Step 4: Add the pasta mixture to the vegetable bowl and toss again, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed and the salad is chilled for 15 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Cup Herb Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (20 min prep + 7 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-Cup Herb 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 uncooked elbow pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Cup Herb 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 Half-Cup Herb 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.
What goes well with Half-Cup Herb Pasta Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
