Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes
You're in the kitchen, the clock ticking, and you’ve got a craving for something fresh, light, and completely vegan.
Pasta salad seems like the perfect answer, doesn't it? It's versatile, colorful, and comes together in no time, but let's face it, there's nothing worse than a bland pasta salad.
You need flavors that pop, textures that intrigue, and ingredients that leave you feeling satisfied. Well, here are seven vegan pasta salad recipes that will elevate your game.
Each one brings its own twist to the classic dish, ensuring that you never settle for anything less than extraordinary. Ready? Let's dive in!
1. Classic Italian Vegan Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups elbow pasta (or any pasta you prefer)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and basil.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until coated.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
2. Mediterranean Vegan Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups fusilli pasta
1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1/2 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the fusilli pasta and let it cool.
2. Combine pasta with red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, tomatoes, and parsley in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss the pasta salad with the dressing, and mix gently.
5. Chill for about 30 minutes before serving.
3. Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups penne pasta
1/2 cup homemade or store-bought vegan pesto
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 cup spinach leaves, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the penne pasta and let it cool.
2. Toss the pasta with pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
3. Add toasted pine nuts, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Let it chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
4. Vegan Avocado and Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups rotini pasta
1 ripe avocado, diced
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the rotini pasta and set aside to cool.
2. In a bowl, combine pasta, avocado, corn, bell pepper, and cilantro.
3. Add lime juice, salt, and pepper, and toss gently to combine.
4. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
5. Vegan Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups bow tie pasta
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup black olives, halved
1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the bow tie pasta and set aside to cool.
2. Combine pasta with cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, olives, and oregano in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss the pasta with the dressing and mix well.
5. Let it chill for 30 minutes before serving.
6. Spicy Sriracha Peanut Vegan Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups soba noodles or rice noodles
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sriracha sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
1 tbsp sesame seeds
Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the noodles according to package instructions, and set aside to cool.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and salt.
3. Toss the noodles with shredded carrots and scallions.
4. Drizzle with the peanut dressing and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
5. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
7. Vegan Rainbow Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the rotini pasta and cool it.
2. Combine pasta with tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, onion, and parsley in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss the pasta salad with the dressing and mix well.
5. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
FAQs:
1. Can I use any pasta for these recipes? Absolutely! You can swap out traditional pasta for gluten-free, rice, or any type you like. Just make sure it’s cooked and cooled properly.
2. How long will these salads last in the fridge? Generally, they’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days in an airtight container.
3. Can I add protein to these pasta salads? Yes! You can add tofu, chickpeas, or even tempeh for a protein boost.
4. How do I make these salads more filling? Try adding roasted vegetables or a sprinkle of nuts for extra texture and nutrition.
5. Can I use a different dressing? Of course! Switch up the dressing to suit your taste. A balsamic vinaigrette or tahini-based dressing works well too.
Key Takeaways:
1. Pasta salads are a great base for vegan creativity—add your favorite veggies and proteins.
2. Chilling the salads allows the flavors to meld and develop.
3. Vegan pasta salads are versatile and customizable—mix up the ingredients and dressings to suit your taste.
4. These recipes work well as a side dish or a main meal, depending on how hearty you want them.
Tips & Swap Ideas:
For more crunch, add toasted nuts like almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds.
Want extra flavor? Toss in a bit of nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan.
Don’t forget to experiment with different types of pasta, like quinoa or chickpea-based pasta, for added nutrition.
Need a richer dressing? Try adding a little avocado or tahini.
With these recipes in your arsenal, you'll never be stuck with a boring pasta salad again. So go ahead, mix and match, and enjoy your delicious creations!
