Jupyter's Notebook Pasta Salad
A vibrant pasta salad with colorful vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette, arranged in geometric sections like a well-structured notebook. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes pairs ounces penne pasta, halved cherry tomato, 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 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 ounces penne pasta
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomato
- 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup, finely diced red onion
- 2 ounces, crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon, dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 ounces penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup finely diced red onion.
- Step 3: Whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Step 4: Add the cooked pasta to the vegetable mixture and toss gently; pour dressing over and mix until evenly coated.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese over the top and serve chilled for a perfectly arranged, notebook-like salad.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jupyter's Notebook 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 Jupyter's Notebook 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 ounces penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Jupyter's Notebook 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 Jupyter's Notebook Pasta Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Jupyter's Notebook 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 family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
