Silly String Pasta Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 8 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook macaroni in salted boiling water for 8 minutes until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Step 4: Chill for 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld, then serve chilled with extra basil for garnish.

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.

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