Secure App Pasta Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-23 · Updated 2026-04-23

Rainbow-hued pasta salad with crisp vegetables and a tangy herb dressing, assembled in distinct, secure ingredient layers. This Italian-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 23 minutes, pairs pasta shells, 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 220 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 pasta shells
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon, fresh dill
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 ounces pasta shells in salted water until al dente (8-10 minutes), then rinse under cold water and drain well.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion.
3. Step 3: Whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Add drained pasta to vegetable bowl, pour dressing over, and toss gently until every ingredient is coated and visible in layers.