Vegan Italian Pasta Salad (Oil-Free!)

This easy Vegan Italian-style Pasta Salad combines curly pasta, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs. Then it is tossed in a zesty oil-free Italian-inspired dressing. Great make-ahead dish for lunches, picnics, potlucks, etc.

This vegan Italian-style Pasta Salad is so easy to make! It's a tasty, satisfying dish filled with flavor.

We combine tender curly pasta with crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs. Then toss it in a zesty oil-free Italian-inspired dressing.

Plus it only takes 30 minutes to prepare.

It's a great light lunch, and also works well as a side dish for gatherings, BBQs, potlucks, etc.

Ingredients for Vegan Pasta Salad

For this recipe you will toss together in a large bowl:

• Fusilli pasta: This is also known as rotini pasta. Or you can substitute another shape of choice like penne, farfalle, etc. (I use a gluten-free brown rice and quinoa blend.)
• Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes: I like these best for this salad because they have such rich, sweet flavor. But feel free to substitute with ripe roma tomatoes or other tomato if desired.
• Cucumber: I use English/hothouse cucumbers because I find them to be more flavorful. However seedless garden cucumbers work great too.
• Red onion
• Olives: I use Kalamata olives but black olives would be tasty too.
• Fresh parsley
• Red wine vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice: You will need about a half lemon for this recipe.
• Nutritional yeast: This adds a slightly cheesy, savory flavor to the dressing.
• Garlic cloves
• Dijon mustard
• Italian seasoning: Or substitute other herbs of choice.

Variations

This is a great recipe to customize based on the flavors and tastes you enjoy. A few suggestions include:

Vegetables: Add other veggies such as artichokes, green bell pepper, broccoli, roasted red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, etc.

Herbs: Change up the taste with dried oregano, basil, etc.

Vegan cheese: Add more flavor with Miyoko's mozzarella cheese or vegan parmesan cheese.

Serving and Storing

I have found there is a bit of a "sweet spot" in the serving time. We enjoy it best a few hours after chilling but within a day.

Otherwise our gluten-free pasta starts to dry out as the dressing absorbs.

However, you could simply store the dressing and salad separately in the fridge. Then toss together as needed right before serving.

For more inspiration, also browse all oil-free recipes.

Vegan Italian Pasta Salad

An easy Italian-style pasta salad with curly pasta, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs. Tossed in a zesty oil-free dressing!

4.78 from 9 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer

Course: Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Gluten-Free Option, Italian-Inspired, Oil-Free, Vegan

Servings: 6 side servings

US CustomaryMetric

Ingredients

• 8 oz. fusilli pasta (gluten-free if desired)
• 8 oz. grape/cherry tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1/3 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/3 cup olives (I use kalamata)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (more as desired)

Optional variations:

• Artichoke hearts, green bell pepper, roasted red pepper, capers, pepperoncini, sun-dried tomato, vegan parmesan, vegan mozzarella cubes

For the Italian-style dressing:

• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/8 tsp. salt

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to package instructions, leaving al dente (slightly firm, not mushy). Drain and rinse with cold water when finished.
• Meanwhile, prepare veggies: Quarter/halve tomatoes, dice cucumber, and thinly slice red onion. Place in a large mixing bowl.
• Slice olives and roughly chop parsley (large stems removed). Place in bowl.
• Make the dressing: In a separate small bowl, add all dressing ingredients and whisk well to combine.
• Add cooked pasta to bowl with veggies. Then add dressing and toss well to combine.
• Can serve immediately, but best served chilled after 1-2 hours. (Be sure to gently stir again before serving as some dressing may settle at the bottom.)

Notes

Storing: Keeps covered in the fridge for 2-3 days. Or you can store the dressing + salad separately and toss together when ready. (It does tend to dry out a little as it sits.)

Cheese option: This is tasty with small cubes of Miyoko's mozzarella added as well. (This is not oil-free however.) Or add your favorite vegan parmesan.

Omit olives: If not using olives, I recommend adding capers and/or artichoke hearts for a salty pop of flavor.

For gluten-free: I use organic brown rice & quinoa fusilli to make this gluten-free.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Italian Pasta Salad

Amount per Serving

Calories

171

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

2

g

3

%

Saturated Fat

 

1

g

6

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Potassium

 

236

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

33

g

11

%

Fiber

 

3

g

13

%

Sugar

 

2

g

2

%

Protein

 

5

g

10

%

Vitamin A

 

471

IU

9

%

Vitamin C

 

17

mg

21

%

Calcium

 

32

mg

3

%

Iron

 

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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If you are enjoying this oil-free vegan pasta salad recipe, also check out:

• Summer Chopped Salad with Creamy Herb Dressing
• Ultimate Greek Chopped Salad
• Cucumber Salad

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