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Spooky Halloween Pasta Salad with Jack-O’-Lantern Cucumbers

chef Laya
A festive Halloween pasta salad with colorful vegetables, mozzarella pearls, Italian dressing, and carved cucumber Jack-O’-Lanterns.
Print Recipes Pin Recipe
Prepr Time 25 minutes
Cooking Time 10 minutes
30 minutes
ToTal Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Type of plate Side Dish
kitchen American
Serving 8

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Salad

  • 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 orange bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls
  • 3/4 cup Italian dressing plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste

For the Jack-O’-Lantern Cucumbers

  • 1 large English cucumber
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional, to help maintain freshness

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  • Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cool water to stop the cooking process. Drain well.
  • Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • Add the orange bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, purple cabbage, mozzarella pearls, Italian dressing, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
  • Toss gently until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated. Taste and add salt if needed.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • While the pasta salad chills, wash and dry the English cucumber. Slice it into 1/4-inch rounds.
  • Use a small paring knife to carefully carve two triangle eyes, a small triangle nose, and a curved or zigzag mouth into each cucumber round to create Jack-O’-Lantern faces.
  • If desired, brush the cucumber slices lightly with lemon juice. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate, cover, and refrigerate until serving.
  • Before serving, stir the pasta salad. Add an extra splash of Italian dressing if needed.
  • Transfer the pasta salad to a serving bowl or platter. Arrange the Jack-O’-Lantern cucumber slices on top, face-up.
  • Serve immediately, or keep chilled until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Best pasta: Tri-color rotini adds natural festive color, but bow ties, penne, cavatappi, or shells work well.
  • Cucumber choice: English cucumbers are easiest to slice and carve because they have thin skin and fewer seeds.
  • Carving safety: Adults should carve the cucumber faces. Keep the designs simple so they are visible on the finished salad.
  • Make ahead: Cook the pasta and chop the vegetables up to 24 hours ahead. Add cucumber decorations immediately before serving.
  • Extra dressing: Pasta absorbs dressing as it chills. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons extra dressing before serving if needed.
  • Protein additions: Add diced cooked chicken, turkey, salami, chickpeas, or white beans to make the salad more filling.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use within 3 to 4 days. Do not leave the salad out longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F / 32°C.fda+1
  • No food coloring needed: Orange peppers, black olives, purple cabbage, tomatoes, and tri-color pasta create a naturally colorful Halloween look.