Easy Halloween Pumpkin Face Pasta Salad
Easy Halloween Pumpkin Face Pasta Salad is a whimsical and delicious dish that will enchant both kids and adults alike. Featuring rotini pasta shaped like adorable pumpkins, this salad is packed with colorful veggies and creamy dressing, topped with playful olive “eyes.” Perfect for Halloween parties or family dinners, this delightful recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, making it an easy addition to your festive gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Side
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz orange rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup pasta salad dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop cherry tomatoes in half and slice cucumber into rounds.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, and cucumber; toss gently.
- Add your preferred creamy dressing to coat the salad evenly.
- Decorate each 'pumpkin' piece of pasta with slices of black olives as eyes and sprinkle with cheddar cheese before giving it one last gentle toss.
- Serve chilled in a festive bowl or individual cups.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Swap out rotini for other fun pasta shapes like fusilli or bowtie pasta. Customize by adding bell peppers or diced cooked chicken for extra protein. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.