Italian Vegan Pasta Salad is inspired by traditional Italian pasta salad, only it’s totally plant-based. So, there’s no mayo and no cheese. You truly won’t miss the dairy when you bite into this chilled pasta salad with ample veggies and zesty vinaigrette.
Italian Vegan Pasta Salad
This refreshing recipe can be made year-round, but it’s really fun when you can combine some pantry staples with seasonal, summer produce.
In mid-summer, red and gold beets are abundant.
For this salad, you can boil, peel and dice them into 1/4” pieces…and toss straight into the salad.
They add the perfect sweetness and crunch to this salad.
The perfect pantry staples…
When I speak of pantry ingredients, I’m referring to marinated artichokes, nonpareil capers, and Kalamata olives.
These are staples in my pantry and you’ll never see my kitchen without them.
How to make Italian Vegan Pasta Salad
Step 1. Cook pasta according to package instructions, then rinse cooked noodles to stop cooking, drain and refrigerate until ready to assemble the pasts salad.
Step 2. Make the vinaigrette; cover and chill until ready to assemble.
Step 3. Prepare the veggies; store them separately until ready to assemble.
Step 4: When you’re ready to serve, simply toss everything together in a large bowl and serve within a few hours.
* see full recipe below
Italian Vegan Pasta Salad Ingredients
For the salad:
- macaroni noodles
- red or yellow beet
- marinated artichokes
- nonpareil capers
- Kalamata olives
- red onion
- basil leaves
For the dressing:
- extra virgin olive oil
- white vinegar
- lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- fresh garlic
- Kosher salt
- black pepper
Recommended tools
- chef knife
- cutting board
- 3.5 qt saucepan
- tongs
- mixing bowls
- stainless steel colander
- air-tight storage containers
Other healthy summer salads
Asian Slaw with Quinoa and Sesame Ginger Dressing
Italian Vegan Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp White Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 clove Garlic finely grated
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
For the salad:
- 1 1/2 cups Macaroni Noodles uncooked
- 1 Beet boiled, peeled, and diced
- 1/2 cup packaged Artichoke Hearts chopped
- 1/4 cup Capers chopped
- 1/4 cup Kalamata Olives
- 1/4 cup Basil Leaves
Instructions
For the vinaigrette:
- 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.
For the pasta:
- Boil MACARONI NOODLES according to package instructions; transfer to a colander; cool-water rinse and drain; store (air-tight and chilled) until ready to serve.
For the vegan pasta salad
- To cook the BEET: place it in a pot with water covering a few inches over its surface; boil over high heat until fork-tender (about 10 minutes); remove beet from water with tongs; run it under cold water to remove skin (carefully using fingers to help skin fall off); set aside to cool. Alternatively, you can roast the beet, diced, in a 400° oven for 20 minutes.
- When beet has cooled, dice it into 1/4” cubes; store (air-tight and chilled) until ready to serve.
- Combine ARTICHOKES, CAPERS, and KALAMATA olives in a serving bowl or storage container; store (air-tight and chilled) until ready to serve.
- A few hours before serving the salad, toss together pasta, veggies, and dressing; refrigerate in an air-tight container until ready to serve; just before serving, chop basil and gently fold into salad.
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
I originally posted this recipe on amandascookin.com in July 2016. The original recipe included asiago cheese. The current recipe is vegan and does not, but you’re welcome to add in 1/4 cup, if you like.
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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? 🙂