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Vegan Pasta Salad

5 from 16 votes
Total 30 minutes
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Vegan pasta salad is a zesty, plant-based spin on a classic. Tender veggies and pasta are tossed in a mouth-watering dressing. Serve this delicious pasta salad at any food event and watch it disappear!

Italian Vegan Pasta Salad in glass bowl on blue background

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This refreshing, plant-based Italian pasta salad is veggie-loaded and tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. It's everything you want in a pasta salad minus the dairy products. Trust me, you won't miss them because there is so much flavor and texture in every bite!

Table of Contents hide
1) Vegan pasta salad ingredients
2) Why you'll love this pasta salad recipe
3) How to make vegan pasta salad
4) More salads to love
5) More pasta salad recipes
6) 📖 Recipe
7) Vegan Pasta Salad

Vegan pasta salad ingredients

For the pasta salad

  • Pasta - I'm using macaroni but any pasta will be delicious!
  • Beets - use fresh or pickled beets
  • Artichoke hearts - You can use plain or marinated artichoke hearts.
  • Capers - These add an irresistible salty, zesty flavor to the salad.
  • Olives - I'm using Kalamata for this recipe, but black olives are also popular for this salad.
  • Red onions - These add a crisp texture and mild spice.
  • Fresh basil - Use this for garnish.

For the dressing

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • White vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Dijon mustard
  • Fresh garlic
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper

Add a few shakes of Italian seasoning for even more Italian flavor!

Why you'll love this pasta salad recipe

My vegan pasta salad is 80% pantry staples! Macaroni noodles, artichokes, capers, olives, beets, and most of the vinaigrette ingredients. It's actually pretty amazing the amount of flavor and texture you can pack into a pasta salad using packaged Mediterranean ingredients. The red onion and basil also elevate this salad with a pop of fresh flavor and texture.

Consider adding marinated mushrooms for even more zesty flavor or roasted chickpeas for a crunchy topping.

Italian Vegan Pasta Salad in glass bowl on blue background

How to make vegan pasta salad

  1. Cook the macaroni, rinse, drain, and chill.
  2. Chop and slice the other ingredients.
  3. Make the vinaigrette; cover and chill.
  4. To serve, simply toss everything together in a large bowl and serve.
Italian Vegan Pasta Salad in glass bowl on blue background

More salads to love

More pasta salad recipes

📖 Recipe

Italian Vegan Pasta Salad in glass bowl on blue background

Vegan Pasta Salad

Vegan pasta salad is a zesty, plant-based spin on a classic. Tender veggies and pasta are tossed in a mouth-watering dressing. Serve this delicious pasta salad at any food event and watch it disappear!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total time30 minutes
Yield 6 1-cup servings
Author Traci
5 from 16 votes
Print Pin it for later 📌

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Note about scaling

When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.

Ingredients 

Pasta salad ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups Macaroni noodles, uncooked
  • ½ cup Pickled Beets, chopped
  • ½ cup Artichoke Hearts, chopped
  • ¼ cup Capers, chopped
  • ¼ cup Kalamata Olives, chopped
  • ¼ cup Red Onion, diced
  • ¼ cup Basil Leaves, loosely chopped

Vinaigrette ingredients

  • ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoons White Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1 clove Garlic, finely grated
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Cook MACARONI NOODLES using package instructions; rinse, drain, and set aside. * See Instant Pot pasta cooking instructions in recipe footnotes.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine OLIVE OIL, VINEGAR, LEMON JUCE, DIJON, GARLIC, SALT, and PEPPER; rigorously whisk until well-combined; refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Toss together MACARONI, BEETS, ARTICHOKES, CAPERS, OLIVES, ONION, and VINAIGRETTE until coated. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.
  • To serve, chop BASIL and fold into salad. Serve chilled.
Did you make this? We'd love your feedback!!Please rate and review it here or below ⤵️

Equipment

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 252IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.

Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
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Traci

About Traci

I’m the recipe author, photographer, and videographer behind The Kitchen Girl food blog established in 2013. I test and share all of my original recipes here so you can make great food with simple ingredients for everyday meals and special occasions.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 16 votes (1 rating without comment)

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  1. Alexandra says

    5 stars
    Delicious, fresh and vibrant! Packed full of flavour, and looks amazing too, with all those lovely colours!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Alexandra...the flavor is ALL here 🙂

  2. Beth Neels says

    5 stars
    Such a nice, fresh twist on traditional pasta salad! We didn't miss the mayo and cheese! I'll definitely be making this one again!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Awesome, Beth...I'm right there with you! So glad you enjoy this one 🙂

  3. Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says

    5 stars
    This salad has many of my favourite ingredients, especially loving the addition of beets!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Ksenia! Yes...we LOVVVVE the beet in a pasta salad. So nutritious! 🙂

  4. Chris Collins says

    5 stars
    I'm always looking for new pasta salad recipes and this Italian version looks beyond delicious! Can't wait to try it!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Chris! Enjoy!

  5. Dannii says

    5 stars
    Pasta salad is a must in the summer and I love this vegan version.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Dannii! So glad you can enjoy it 🙂

  6. Tara says

    5 stars
    I love all that color! And it comes together so easily too! Sounds perfect paired with the lemony dressing.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Tara! Yes, the lemony dressing takes the pasta salad over the top! 🙂

  7. Tatiana says

    5 stars
    Oh I love that there’s a homemade dressing for the pasta salad. I am always looking to serve my family something a little healthier. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Tatiana! So glad you'll enjoy the dressing! It's one of my favs...and so easy!

  8. Raia Todd says

    5 stars
    Gorgeous pasta salad! Love the addition of artichokes. 🙂

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Raia! Artichokes in pasta salad are my fav! 🙂

  9. Em says

    5 stars
    This pasta salad looks so good!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Em...love hearing it! 🙂

  10. Lisa Huff says

    5 stars
    Loving all the veggies in this pasta salad! Perfect for potlucks and parties!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks, Lisa! It's party-ready! 😉

  11. Neha says

    5 stars
    I am watching my weight these days and loving the fact that this pasta looks so yum without any mayo or cheese! Loving your clicks.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Neha...yep, no dairy needed here 🙂

  12. Tatiana says

    5 stars
    It looks fresh and yummy with vegie ingredients. Such a great dish for this summer, many thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Aww thanks...and you're so welcome, Tatiana 🙂

  13. Pam Greer says

    5 stars
    This is the best pasta salad! With no mayo, I feel good about bringing it to our picnics!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Awesome! Glad to hear it, Pam! Enjoy 🙂

  14. Kate says

    5 stars
    Mm this looks perfect for summer and so yummy! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Kate!! You're so welcome 🙂

  15. Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says

    5 stars
    I love pasta salad with a zesty dressing like this any day over a mayo based one - great recipe!

    Reply

    • Traci Antonovich says

      Thanks Laura! Who needs mayo when you have a delicious vinaigrette, right? 🙂