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    Home » Salads

    Vegan Pasta Salad

    Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Verna Rindler · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    Easy vegan pasta salad made with summer veggies, fresh herbs, rotini noodles dressed with a sweet tangy vinaigrette. Delicious everyday pasta salad perfect for a family picnic. Serve cold

    vegan pasta salad dressed in a bowl

    If you’re a pasta salad lover like me then this easy pasta salad recipe is for you. Naturally vegan, dairy free, super quick to throw together and full of flavour. 

    It's my go to salad filled with healthy veggies like corn, tomatoes, peppers, olives, perfectly cooked noodles and a knock your socks off ( no mayo ) lemon dill salad dressing! 

    Adapted from my mediterranean pasta salad with orzo!

    This is one of my family’s favourite vegan salads (besides creamy ranch pasta salad 😋) and hopefully yours now too- enjoy! lovely for spring, summer or any time of the year! 

    One of those simple delicious vegan recipes you'll make again and again! loved by vegetarians and meat eaters alike! 

    ..and if you love pasta salads check out my creamy vegan macaroni salad-- so yummy also!!

    So many salads you can make with pasta: pesto, Italian, avocado the list is endless.. 

    close up of pasta salad in bowl
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients:
    • How to make vegan pasta salad:
    • What to serve with pasta salad?
    • FAQ:
    • Pro tips:
    • More vegan salad recipes:
    • Vegan Pasta Salad

    Ingredients:

    • Rotini noodles: or any medium noodle, regular or use gluten free pasta 
    • Veggies: I add corn, black olives, bell peppers, red onions, tomatoes. my friend says she loves adding broccoli for broccoli pasta salad (I"d prefer not to lol!)
    • Fresh herbs: I love cilantro in this salad! Could sub a little parsley or dill
    • Lemon dill dressing: apple cider vinegar (not red wine vinegar), lemon juice, oil (I like neutral grapeseed for this could use olive oil) sugar or maple syrup,  dijon mustard, fresh garlic, pinch of salt and pepper!
    pasta salad ingredients chopped on a plate

    How to make vegan pasta salad:

    1. Cook pasta according to recipe instructions, drain add back to pot with cold water to chill. Drain well. Toss with a drizzle of oil. 
    2. While pasta is cooking prep vegetables and herbs add to large bowl. Add cooked cooled pasta
    3. To make the dressing: add ingredients to a jar seal and shake to combine or whisk together in a small bowl. Pour over salad. Toss everything together. Serve and enjoy! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below
    step by step photos how to make vegan pasta salad
    pasta salad in a bowl with serving spoons

    What to serve with pasta salad?

    • lovely served along side vegan hamburgers, hot-dogs, sandwiches like mock tuna, 'chicken or 'egg', garlic bread, corn on the cob, other potluck salad recipes, or with vegan turkey, steak or ham. so many great choices!

    FAQ:

    Can vegans eat pasta salad?

    • Absolutley just make sure the salad contains no meat, eggs and the dressing is dairy free or made with plant based mayo 

    Should you rinse pasta for pasta salad?

    • Yes rinse them! you want noodles chilled, perfectly cooked and not starchy

    How long will pasta salad keep?

    • will keep covered in fridge for a couple of days but is best served freshly made 

    Pro tips:

    • Dress salad just before serving for best results
    • Make up to a day ahead: keep dressing, noodles and veggies separate until ready to serve
    • Chill pasta in cold water after boiling to stop cooking process to prevent overcooking 
    • Cook noodles just right don’t over or under cook 
    • Customize! Don’t like olives? add some cucumbers instead -meaning swap out for the vegetables you like!
    • Make it a meal: with some vegan protein, add a 1/2 cup or so chickpeas , lentils or vegan chicken pieces etc,..

    More vegan salad recipes:

    • Best Vegan Macaroni Salad
    • Vegan Broccoli Salad
    • Vegan Potato Salad
    • 15 Minute Cowboy Caviar (AKA Texas Caviar)
    • Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe With Asian Dressing
    • Curried Quinoa Salad
    • Absolute Best Vegan Coleslaw!
    • Vegan Caesar Salad
    • Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Greek Salad Dressing

    Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

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    Print
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    vegan pasta salad dressed in a bowl

    Vegan Pasta Salad


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
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    Description

    Easy vegan pasta salad made with summer veggies, fresh herbs, rotini noodles dressed with a sweet tangy vinaigrette. Delicious everyday pasta salad perfect for a family picnic. Serve cold


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For salad:

    • 3 cups (about 1/2 lb/8 oz) dry uncooked rotini noodles, use gluten free pasta if needed 
    • 1/3 cup diced red onion
    • 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper, any colour
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered (or chopped tomato with juices)
    • 3/4 cup canned corn, I like peaches and cream
    • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
    • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 

    For dressing:

    • 3 tablespoons oil, I use grapeseed oil 
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
    • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 
    • 2-3 teaspoons maple syrup or sugar
    • 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill or tablespoon fresh chopped dill
    • pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper

    Instructions

    1. Cook pasta according to recipe instructions, drain add back to pot with cold water to chill. Drain well in colander. Toss with a drizzle of oil. 
    2. While pasta is cooking prep vegetables and herbs add to large bowl. Add cooked cooled pasta
    3. To make the dressing: add ingredients to a jar seal and shake to combine or whisk together in a small bowl. Pour over salad. Toss everything together. Serve and enjoy! For tips, FAQ, step by step photos see above post.

    Notes

    • Make ahead: can make up to a day ahead just keep pasta, veggies and dressing separate until ready to serve
    • To store: will keep covered on the fridge for a couple of days. Best served freshly made!
    • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
    • Category: Salads
    • Method: stovetop / salad bowl
    • Cuisine: American, Canadian

    Keywords: vegan pasta salad, summer pasta salad, pasta salad recipe vegetable pasta salad

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tom

      May 28, 2021 at 8:48 pm

      Great recipe! Fresh and flavourful!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        May 29, 2021 at 7:43 am

        Thanks so much!

        Reply

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

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    Hi, I’m Verna! Major foodie of all things vegan! Welcome to The Cheeky Chickpea; here, you’ll find hundreds of restaurant-worthy easy vegan recipes. Some oil-free and gluten-free, from veggie-powered plant-based comfort foods to decadent desserts. Lots of tricks and tips up my chef sleeve…Grab your apron let’s get cooking!

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