Neon Noodle Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

A vibrant pasta salad with a tangy citrus dressing, packed with colorful vegetables for a fun and healthy meal. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 35 minutes pairs ounces rotini 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 250 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

• 8 ounces rotini pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 ounces rotini pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper, and 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
3. Step 3: Whisk 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently with tongs until all ingredients are evenly coated, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become crisp.