Heiress's Cross-Country Pasta Salad
A vibrant, no-cook pasta salad inspired by the film's road-trip romance, featuring crisp vegetables and a zesty lemon-herb dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs elbow pasta, cherry tomatoes, medium 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 420 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 elbow pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 12 oz elbow pasta according to package directions until al dente, then rinse under cold water to stop cooking and drain well.
- Step 2: Dice 1 medium cucumber into 1/2-inch cubes, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, and halve 2 cups cherry tomatoes.
- Step 3: Finely chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley, then zest and juice 1 lemon to yield 1 tbsp juice.
- Step 4: Whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced cucumber, chopped onion, halved tomatoes, 1/2 cup kalamata olives, and chopped parsley.
- Step 6: Pour dressing over salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and glossy.
- Step 7: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Heiress's Cross-Country Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (30 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 Heiress's Cross-Country 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 elbow pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Heiress's Cross-Country 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 Heiress's Cross-Country Pasta Salad 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.
What goes well with Heiress's Cross-Country 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
