Description
A colorful and festive Halloween Pasta Salad with fun cucumber faces, fresh veggies, mozzarella, and tangy balsamic dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for parties.
Ingredients
1 lb tricolor vegetable pasta
1 cup chopped carrots (about 2 medium)
1 cup chopped English cucumber, plus ¼ cucumber sliced for garnish
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp granulated garlic
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. After 3 minutes, add chopped carrots to the same pot.
2. While cooking, dice half of the cucumber and slice the other half into ¼-inch rounds. Carve faces into the cucumber slices for garnish.
3. In a large bowl, combine diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, herbs, and mozzarella.
4. Once pasta and carrots are tender, drain and rinse under cold water. Add to the bowl.
5. Pour in vinegar, olive oil, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.
6. Garnish with carved cucumber slices. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
If tricolor pasta is unavailable, use regular pasta or Halloween-themed shapes.
You can also dye boiling water black with food coloring to tint the pasta.
Substitute fresh mozzarella chunks if pearls are unavailable.
English cucumbers don’t require peeling; peel other varieties if using.
Customize with black olives, broccoli, salami, or mini peppers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Halloween Recipes
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 197mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 22mg