34 Tasty Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes (Cold & Warm)
(For more tasty meals for the hot season, check out our vegan Summer recipes roundup.)
Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes
1. The Best Italian “Cheesy” Pasta Salad
I love this recipe for Italian pasta salad because it includes twisty rotini pasta. All those nooks and crannies allow the fruits, vegetables, and dressing to nestle into the pasta. Nutritional yeast is the “cheesy” component that gives the salad its Italian flavor.
2. Pearl Couscous Salad
Couscous is one of those delicate and pretty kinds of pasta that is so versatile. I enjoy it warm with braised greens or tossed into a pot of summer veggie soup. But it is also perfect for a vegan salad when tossed with crisp vegetables, savory fruits, and vegan feta cheese.
3. Tzatziki Pasta Salad
Tzatziki is generally made with yogurt but this version is made with a homemade cashew cream that is well seasoned with dill, garlic, and lemon. Simply toss it with farfalle and Greek goodies, like cucumber, olives, and sundried tomatoes.
4. Easy Macaroni Salad
I can’t get through a summer without making a classic and easy macaroni salad. Elbow macaroni is combined with vegan mayonnaise, finely diced vegetables, and a drizzle of maple syrup for that iconic touch of sweetness.
5. Avocado Pasta Salad
I don’t make a lot of mayo-based pasta salads mostly because I have had so many of them. I love that the mayo is replaced with creamy avocado in this salad. Toss in some cooked chickpeas for a hit of protein.
6. Ranch Pasta Salad
I think we all have friends and family members who will ask if we are eating enough protein on a vegan diet. This pasta salad has plenty of protein. The gluten-free pasta is made from chickpeas and lentils and black beans are tossed into the salad. The ranch dressing offers protein in the form of hemp seeds.
7. Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad
I should be green from all the broccoli I eat. But I think that gets balanced by the copious amounts of lemons and nutritional yeast in my diet. This recipe combines these favorite ingredients to bring together a healthy lemony and cheesy broccoli pasta salad.
8. BLT Pasta Salad
Vegan family members always tell me that the one food they still crave is bacon. This pasta salad will have you thinking you are eating a BLT. Tempeh bacon is the key ingredient, along with tomatoes and arugula.
9. Veggie Pasta Salad with Avocado Mustard Dressing
Coconut milk, avocado, and mustard? Yup. This pasta salad fancies a dressing made with those ingredients and it is a surprisingly delightful main or side dish.
10. Ranch Pasta Salad
Vegan ranch dressing is best made with fresh herbs, in my opinion. This pasta salad dressed in ranch with fresh dill and chives will convince you too. Finish it off with crumbly tempeh bacon bits for some added texture.
11. Vegan Buffallo Chicken Pasta Salad
The first time I saw vegan chicken at the grocery store I was completely stumped. I have been making buffalo cauliflower nuggets, but some of the vegan chicken nuggets and strips are pretty good and work well in this salad dressed with spicy buffalo sauce.
12. Very Green Pasta Salad
When life gives you lemons basil, make pesto. Whole grain pasta is generously coated in pesto and fresh herbs. Roasted chickpeas and toasted seeds add crunch and protein for a healthy vegan pasta salad.
13. Chickpea Caesar Pasta Salad
I honestly don’t know a single person who doesn’t enjoy a good Caesar salad. Can you make a vegan version? I do it all the time. However, this recipe for vegan Caesar salad takes that to the next level with penne pasta, tomatoes, and chickpea croutons.
14. Roasted Veggie Hummus Pasta Salad
I am a self-proclaimed roasted vegetable addict. Many evenings, I will roast an entire sheet pan of veggies and eat them for a few different meals. This salad is a very easy way to turn roasted veg into a complete balanced meal with pasta and creamy hummus.
15. Green Goddess Pasta Salad
The star of this vegan pasta salad is the complex green goddess dressing. I say complex because it is a combination of many delicious and healthy ingredients, such as fresh and dried herbs, raw cashews, plant-based milk, and miso.
16. Street Corn Orzo Pasta Salad
Mexican street corn orzo salad is kind of genius if you crave south-of-the-border flavors. Corn kernels are highly seasoned with the herbs and spices commonly found in Mexican cuisine. They are paired with orzo and beans and topped with vegan cheese.
17. Artichoke Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Salad
Here is a dish you can serve hot or cold. I love that! A simple combination of pasta, sundried tomatoes, and marinated artichoke hearts is lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon for an elegant side dish.
18. Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad
I absolutely love this healthy pesto that is lighter in calories than oil-based pesto. Vegan yogurt, non-dairy milk, and tahini serve as the base for this creamy dressing poured over pasta with tomatoes, arugula, and chickpeas.
19. Thai Peanut Pasta Salad
Thai cuisine is hard for me to pass up, but even harder to prepare. This 3-step Thai-inspired salad with peanut dressing and colorful vegetables is not hard at all! And, it is a powerhouse of nutrition.
20. Mexican Pasta Salad
Mexican cuisine is always on my vegan radar because there are so many fruits and vegetables in the recipes. This pasta salad embraces all that is great about Mexican dishes. It has black beans, corn, peppers, salsa, cilantro, and spices. Oh, and did I mention vegan bacon?
21. Kale Pesto Pasta Salad
Any recipe that claims to be anti-aging catches my eye. This warm pasta salad really takes that adage by the apron strings with fiber-rich kale pesto and fresh arugula. Cashews, chickpeas, and sunflower seeds provide protein. Tomatoes offer lycopene and vitamin C. And whole grain pasta adds calcium and B vitamins.
22. Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
About a year ago I burned out on kale. I am finding new ways to incorporate it back into my diet. This kale Caesar salad is perfect because the kale and radishes offer excellent texture offset by the soft pasta and velvety dressing.
23. Green Bean Pasta Salad
I was that kid who actually liked green beans (and peas). So, this vegan pasta salad makes total sense to me. I simply love the crispness of al-dente green beans and add them to salads all the time. You aren’t going to believe how simple this salad is to prepare in just 25 minutes.
24. Springtime Pasta Salad
Did somebody say, “pasta primavera”? This is it in a bowl. The freshest vegetables and fruits are combined with pasta and a light citrus vinaigrette to create all that spring offers. I also really enjoy the story this nutrition coach tells of her veg-hating clients. Good reading and good eating.
25. Summer Fresh Tomato and Basil Pasta
Here is a simple pasta dish that can be eaten hot or cold. It is a great way to combine fresh summer tomatoes and basil with wheat or gluten-free penne pasta.
26. Creamy Chipotle Pasta Salad
Ready for a little heat? Pasta salad dressed in a creamy chipotle chili sauce has just enough spice to satisfy the heat seekers but not too much. Make this salad well in advance because it gets better with time in the fridge.
27. Curried Tahini Pasta Salad
Two of my favorite ingredients to cook with are tahini and curry. Yet, I have never thought to combine the two until I found this recipe for curried tahini pasta salad. It is very clever and the salad is packed with some of my favorite fresh green vegetables.
28. Green Goddess Pasta Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Lime juice and cilantro are combined to create a bright dressing for a green goddess salad that is full of spring veggies and chickpeas. This salad is ready in 20 minutes.
29. Creamy Tahini Greek Pasta Salad
While I do like my favorite vegan mayonnaise, I sometimes want to switch things up when making pasta salad. Tahini is just the right creamy substitution with tons of sesame flavor. This Dish combines the basics of a good Greek salad with corkscrew pasta and a lemony tahini dressing.
30. Orzo Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies
Fire up your grill and get some char on zucchini and tomatoes to make the perfect side dish for your next BBQ. There is nothing tastier than smokey vegetables dressed and tossed with silky orzo.
31. Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad
Want a pasta salad to feed a crowd? This rainbow veggie salad with farfalle is hearty, colorful, and just the thing for the vegans at your gathering. I like this as an entrée, but it would also make the perfect side.
32. Cucumber Pasta Salad
It is only April, but we had a rare heat wave last week that had me jonesing for crisp cooling cucumbers. This cucumber pasta salad is beyond refreshing with lots of cucumbers and fresh dill.
33. Tex Mex Pasta Salad
When I want a complete meal in a bowl, I reach for avocados, beans, and corn as the main ingredients. Avocados are fatty and creamy, beans are protein blockbusters, and corn is starchy and sweet. Toss all these in a Tex-Mex-inspired dressing, add pasta and savory fruits, and you have dinner.
34. Healthy Macaroni Salad
This healthy macaroni salad grabbed my attention with its incredibly original non-dairy dressing that is made with cashews, potatoes, white beans, mustard, and pickle juice. I am so glad someone came up with this.
More vegan Summer recipes you’ll love:
What are your favorite Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes?
Let me know in the comments!
34 Tasty Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes (Cold & Warm)
These cold Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes are perfect for easy Summer dinners or light BBQ side dishes. They are made with creamy dressings, beans, veggies..etc.
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
- 2 cup dry rotini pasta
- 1,5 cup cherry tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 cup kalamata olives (halved)
- 3/4 cup artichoke hearts (chopped)
- 3 sun-dried tomato pieces
- 1/2 red onion (finely chopped)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 2 cup fresh basil (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/3 tsp salt
- 1/3 tsp ground black pepper
- Cook the pasta in salted water, then drain. Place in a big, glass bowl.
- Chop the veggies, add to the pasta, then season.
- Enjoy warm or cold!