Low-Calorie Pasta Salad
A refreshing, light pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. This mediterranean-inspired quick meals (mediterranean) ready in about 30 minutes pairs cooked al dente pasta, pint, halved cherry tomatoes, medium, diced cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, cooked al dente pasta
- 1 pint, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 small, finely chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 cup cooked pasta with 1 tbsp olive oil to prevent clumping. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, and 1 small finely chopped red onion. Mix gently.
- Step 3: In a separate jar, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, stirring to coat. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 5: Adjust seasoning, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Calorie Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 min prep + 10 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 Low-Calorie 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 cooked al dente pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Calorie 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 Low-Calorie 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.
What goes well with Low-Calorie Pasta Salad?
Mediterranean quick meals 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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
