Vegan Pasta Salad is the plant-based spin on a classic Italian pasta salad recipe. Artichokes, capers, Kalamata olives, red onion, pickled beets, and macaroni are tossed in a mouth-watering Italian vinaigrette. No one will even know this delicious pasta salad is 100% plant-based.
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. But you won't miss them because there is so much flavor and texture in every bite – just like my vegan potato salad. They compliment each other nicely as sides for any event.
Italian vegan pasta salad key ingredients
Pasta salad ingredients
- macaroni pasta
- beets (canned, roasted, or pressure cooker beets)
- artichokes
- capers
- Kalamata olives (or preferred olives)
- red onion
- fresh basil
Vegan Italian dressing
- extra virgin olive oil
- white vinegar
- lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- fresh garlic
- Kosher salt
- black pepper
Pantry staple pasta salad
This salad is 80% pantry staples! Macaroni noodles, artichokes, capers, Kalamata olives, pickled beets, and of course, the vinaigrette ingredients. It's actually pretty amazing the amount of flavor and texture you can pack into a pasta salad using mostly pantry staples. The fresh red onion and fresh basil don't hurt one single bit either.
How to make vegan pasta salad
- Cook the macaroni, rinse, drain, and chill.
- Chop and slice the other ingredients.
- Make the vinaigrette; cover and chill.
- To serve, simply toss everything together in a large bowl and serve.
How to cook pasta in the Instant Pot
- Add pasta and enough water to cover the pasta, along with ½ tsp salt to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid, set pressure valve to "sealing".
- Pressure cook on HIGH for 2 minutes.
- Allow the cooker to sit, undisturbed, for a 10-minute natural pressure release.
- Release excess steam (if any) by carefully turning pressure release valve to "venting", then cool-water rinse and drain the pasta, and refrigerate until ready to use.
Recommended tools
- chef knife
- cutting board
- 3.5 qt saucepan
- tongs
- mixing bowls
- stainless steel colander
- air-tight storage containers
Other healthy salads
More pasta salad recipes
Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
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 Sea 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.
Traci's Recipe Notes
- Add pasta and enough water to cover the pasta, along with ½ tsp salt to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid, set pressure valve to “sealing”.
- Pressure cook on HIGH for 2 minutes.
- Allow the cooker to sit, undisturbed, for a 10-minute natural pressure release.
- Release excess steam (if any) by carefully turning pressure release valve to "venting", then cool-water rinse and drain the pasta, and refrigerate until ready to use.
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Alexandra says
Delicious, fresh and vibrant! Packed full of flavour, and looks amazing too, with all those lovely colours!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Alexandra...the flavor is ALL here 🙂
Beth Neels says
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!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Beth...I'm right there with you! So glad you enjoy this one 🙂
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says
This salad has many of my favourite ingredients, especially loving the addition of beets!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Ksenia! Yes...we LOVVVVE the beet in a pasta salad. So nutritious! 🙂
Chris Collins says
I'm always looking for new pasta salad recipes and this Italian version looks beyond delicious! Can't wait to try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Chris! Enjoy!
Dannii says
Pasta salad is a must in the summer and I love this vegan version.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Dannii! So glad you can enjoy it 🙂
Tara says
I love all that color! And it comes together so easily too! Sounds perfect paired with the lemony dressing.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Tara! Yes, the lemony dressing takes the pasta salad over the top! 🙂
Tatiana says
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!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Tatiana! So glad you'll enjoy the dressing! It's one of my favs...and so easy!
Raia Todd says
Gorgeous pasta salad! Love the addition of artichokes. 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Raia! Artichokes in pasta salad are my fav! 🙂
Em says
This pasta salad looks so good!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Em...love hearing it! 🙂
Lisa Huff says
Loving all the veggies in this pasta salad! Perfect for potlucks and parties!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Lisa! It's party-ready! 😉
Neha says
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.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Neha...yep, no dairy needed here 🙂
Tatiana says
It looks fresh and yummy with vegie ingredients. Such a great dish for this summer, many thanks for sharing.
Traci Antonovich says
Aww thanks...and you're so welcome, Tatiana 🙂
Pam Greer says
This is the best pasta salad! With no mayo, I feel good about bringing it to our picnics!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome! Glad to hear it, Pam! Enjoy 🙂
Kate says
Mm this looks perfect for summer and so yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Kate!! You're so welcome 🙂
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
I love pasta salad with a zesty dressing like this any day over a mayo based one - great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Laura! Who needs mayo when you have a delicious vinaigrette, right? 🙂