Photon's Rainbow Pasta Salad
A refreshing, colorful pasta salad with a zesty citrus vinaigrette that shines like light through a prism. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs pasta shells, medium, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes 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 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 oz pasta shells
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta shells in a large pot of salted boiling water for 9-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and spread on a baking sheet to cool completely.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp honey until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill and 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, folding in carefully so cheese doesn't break into crumbs.
- Step 5: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld, then serve chilled.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Photon's Rainbow 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 Photon's Rainbow 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 pasta shells from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Photon's Rainbow 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 Photon's Rainbow 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.
Is Photon's Rainbow 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
