Angel Hair Pasta Salad

Published June 26, 2024

Angel Hair Pasta Salad
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
35 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Rating
5(106)
Comments
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Light, bouncy angel hair makes for a surprisingly stellar pasta salad. Dressed in a simple mayonnaise and vinegar dressing, a rainbow confetti of raw vegetables shines in this chill, endlessly adaptable recipe. Salting the vegetables in advance, allowing them to sweat their excess moisture and then patting them dry, leads to crunchier, longer-lasting results. This salad keeps for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, covered; as it sits, the vegetables give off their flavor and fragrance to the blank-canvas pasta. Simply stir before serving to redistribute any dressing that has collected on the bottom of the bowl.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings
  • 1small red onion, diced
  • 3tablespoons rice vinegar
  • ½teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper or red-pepper flakes
  • 4cups raw vegetables, such as any mix of broccoli, celery, carrot, tomato, corn, zucchini, summer squash and bell pepper, diced (see Tip)
  • 8ounces angel hair pasta, broken in half
  • ½cup mayonnaise, preferably Hellmann’s or Best Foods
  • ½cup finely chopped tender herbs, such as parsley, dill, scallions, chives, mint and basil (optional)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

221 calories; 12 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 269 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large mixing bowl, stir together the onion, vinegar and sugar. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Place the vegetables in a colander in the sink, season with salt and toss. Let them sweat for about 10 minutes. Pat dry with a clean towel.

  3. Step 3

    Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, then rinse under the cold tap and drain well.

  4. Step 4

    Stir the mayonnaise into the onion and vinegar. Add the pasta, vegetables and herbs, and toss to combine. (This salad is easiest to mix with your hands.) Taste and season as needed with salt and pepper.

  5. Step 5

    Serve at room temperature or cold, straight from the refrigerator. (This pasta salad keeps, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.)

Tip
  • Remember that a dice cut is about ½ inch. To achieve this, slice the vegetable into long, ½-inch-wide planks; then slice those lengthwise into ½-inch-thick batons; finally, slice those crosswise to create ½-inch cubes.

Ratings

5 out of 5
106 user ratings
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Comments

Loved this. Herbs definitely take it to the next level (I used parsley, tarragon & dill). Benefits from a rest in the fridge and a fresh bowl for serving. Great recipe!

This was excellent and a great twist on pasta salad! So light and refreshing (I was wondering about that cuz the mayo). I made it as written, using frozen corn, red bell pepper, cucumber, carrot and quartered grape tomatoes (didn’t salt those , just added them at the end). Used parsley for the herb. Used vegan mayo. Definitely a keeper!

Honestly...you are making a completely different salad. Why comment on this one?!

This was wonderful and so easy to prepare. The rice wine vinegar is the secret to the flavor. After salting out the veggies I placed them in a salad spinner to remove excess liquid and salt.

Duke's Mayonnaise!!! Much better, no sugar added.

Like combination of angel hair and raw vegetables but the

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