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A vibrant Cucumber Pasta Salad with spiral fusilli and fresh cucumber slices in a creamy green dressing, served in a glass bowl.
Layla

Refreshing Cucumber Dill Pasta Salad

A light and vibrant pasta salad featuring crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and a tangy lemon-yogurt dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing side dish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad
  • 12 oz fusilli or rotini pasta cooked according to package directions and cooled
  • 2 medium English or Persian cucumbers diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped, plus more for garnish if desired
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled (optional)
For the Creamy Lemon-Dill Dressing
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt full-fat or low-fat
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground, or to taste

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain well in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down completely. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
Prepare the Vegetables and Herbs
  1. While the pasta cooks, dice the cucumbers and finely dice the red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes if using. Chop the fresh dill for both the salad and the dressing.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, finely diced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes (if using).
  2. Pour the creamy lemon-dill dressing over the pasta mixture. Add the remaining 1/4 cup of chopped fresh dill and crumbled feta cheese (if using).
  3. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cucumber pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, chill for 2-4 hours.
  2. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish. Garnish with extra fresh dill if desired.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based yogurt and mayonnaise, and omit the feta cheese. You can customize this salad by adding other vegetables like bell peppers, olives, or chickpeas for extra flavor and texture. This salad can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta may absorb some dressing over time, so you might need to add a splash of milk, water, or extra lemon juice before serving if it seems too dry.