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Spooky Halloween Pasta Salad for a Fun Family Feast

A colorful and fun pasta salad that is perfect for Halloween gatherings, featuring spooky cucumber faces and healthy ingredients.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Vegetable Pasta Substitute with gluten-free pasta for dietary preference.
  • 1 cup Carrots, chopped Cook with the pasta for a softer texture.
  • 1 cup English Cucumber, chopped Carve into spooky faces for added flair.
  • ¼ cup English Cucumber, for garnish
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved Offers juiciness and bright color.
  • 8 oz Fresh Mozzarella Pearls, drained Diced mozzarella can be a good alternative.
  • ¼ cup Fresh Basil, chopped Fresh oregano works as a great substitute.
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped Any fresh herb of choice can be used instead.
  • 1 teaspoon Granulated Garlic No substitute necessary for full flavor.
  • ¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar Red wine or apple cider vinegar can replace it.
  • ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil Any neutral oil can be used if desired.
For Serving
  • Salt and Pepper Adjust to taste for the best flavor.
  • Carved Cucumber Faces Create them for a creative touch on your salad.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • Strainer
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the vegetable pasta and cook according to package instructions (7-10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Pasta is ready when al dente.
  2. After 3 minutes of cooking the pasta, carefully add the chopped carrots to the boiling pot. This will allow the carrots to soften while the pasta finishes cooking. Strain the pasta and carrots together after they finish cooking.
  3. While the pasta and carrots are cooking, chop half of the English cucumber into small pieces and carve spooky faces from the remaining half. Halve the cherry tomatoes and set aside.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, chopped basil, parsley, and mozzarella pearls. Stir gently to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
  5. Once cooked, drain the pasta and carrots and rinse under cold water to cool them down. This preserves the texture.
  6. Add the cooled pasta and carrots to the mixing bowl with other ingredients. Drizzle in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, sprinkle granulated garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat.
  7. Let the salad sit for a few minutes before serving, garnished with carved cucumber faces for a festive touch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 10gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This pasta salad can be prepared a day in advance; store it in an airtight container in the fridge to let the flavors blend beautifully.

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