Silly String Pasta Salad
A vibrant twist on classic pasta salad with zucchini 'strings' and a tangy herb dressing that mimics playful 'silly string' ribbons. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 33 minutes pairs elbow macaroni, quartered cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced 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 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
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 medium, spiralized into thin strands zucchini
- 1 cup, quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1/2, thinly sliced cucumber
- 1/4, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook macaroni in salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 2: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and oregano in a large bowl until smooth and emulsified; add 1/4 cup of the dressing to the cooled macaroni and toss to coat.
- Step 3: Add spiralized zucchini, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and basil to the macaroni; drizzle with remaining dressing and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated and glistening.
- Step 4: Chill for 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld, then serve chilled with extra basil for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Silly String Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 33 minutes (25 min prep + 8 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 String 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 elbow macaroni from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Silly String 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 Silly String 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.
What goes well with Silly String Pasta Salad?
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
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
