Silly Sock Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
A playful twist on pasta salad featuring 'sock-shaped' pasta, crunchy vegetables, and a bright herb dressing that pops with color. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 30 minutes pairs pasta shells, halved cherry tomatoes, 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 245 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
- 1 cup pasta shells
- 1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, diced cucumber
- 2 tbsp, finely minced red onion
- 3 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, basil, and parsley until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Add cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to the bowl, then toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing and vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the 'socks' to fully absorb the dressing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Silly Sock Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette 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 Silly Sock Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette?
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 Silly Sock Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette?
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 Silly Sock Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette 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 Silly Sock Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette?
Mediterranean salads 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
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
