This Healthy Gluten Free Pasta Salad is everything pasta salad should be: crunchy, easy, quick, filling, and oh so delicious. The crunchy red bell pepper and onions combined with the oregano and red pepper flakes makes this salad so tasty. This cold pasta salad makes for the perfect side dish for all of your summer gatherings. Although it is a summer favorite, it is one of my favorite recipes to eat all year long.
I love to bring this easy pasta salad recipe to any BBQ I am invited to because it pairs well with anything! I love the crunch that the vegetables give with the tartness that the vinegar adds. This pasta salad will keep you coming back for more. If you are looking for other great summer cookout recipes, check out my other side dishes like my Thai Pasta Salad, Gluten Free Mac and Cheese, Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket, Cucumber Watermelon Salad Easy Beetroot Dip, Gluten Free Coleslaw and Panera Inspired Strawberry Poppyseed Salad.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This recipe is so simple but has lots of flavor. I love the variety of texture that you get in this dish as well. From the soft pasta to the crunchy vegetables it is the full package.
- Kids will love this recipe too! It’s a great way to get kids to eat additional vegetables.
- You can bring this dish to any cookout along with my favorite Gluten Free Potato Salad.
- This vegan pasta salad is naturally paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, grain free, autoimmune protocol (AIP), and soy free.
- This is the traditional pasta salad you grew up eating with a healthy spin. Unlike traditional pasta salad, this recipe does not have a heavy mayo-dressing.
- The flavors of this recipe are simple but they pair well with any protein. You can easily add in hard-boiled eggs, a can of chickpeas or even grilled chicken.
- We also have this pasta salad listed on my weekly meal prep menu. Right now, we deliver all over Pittsburgh, but we ship our chocolate chip cookies nationwide.
Ingredients
- Gluten-free pasta– I am obsessed with Jovial cassava noodles.They are Whole30, paleo and vegan friendly and oh so good! I get mine from Thrive Market. You can use my link and save $40 on your first order.
- Red wine vinegar-The red wine vinegar adds the perfect kick to this pasta salad.
- Oregano-The adds the perfect amount of flavor. The Italian seasoning mix is a must for this recipe.
- Red peppers and sea salt-While I think these two ingredients are game changers you have to season this pasta salad to your liking. You can totally make the pasta salad without the red pepper flakes.
- Black olives, zucchini, red pepper and red onions-This combination of vegetables add the perfect amount of crunch!
- Extra virgin olive oil-This is what keeps the noodles moist and prevents them from sticking together.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- If you prefer a different brand of gluten free noodle other than jovial cassava noodles, you can use your noodle of choice such as brown rice pasta, chickpea pasta, or even gluten free macaroni noodles. Lately I have been loving the Jovial Gluten Free Bow Tie Pasta.
- This dish is versatile, so you can choose to add additional fixing like kalamata olives, fresh corn, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, juicy red tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes.
- Sometimes I like adding fresh herbs like fresh basil in my salad too.
- If you like your pasta salad to have a creamy texture and more added protein, you can add in some greek yogurt to make a creamy dressing. If you add some tomatoes too, it will make for a great greek pasta salad recipe.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions and variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step by Step Instructions
Equipment Needed
Expert Tips
- Tip # 1: Once you strain your pasta, you will want to mix the red wine vinegar and EVOO in ASAP. This will prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Tip # 2: I love dried oregano! But if you do not like a strong oregano flavor, you can lessen the amount that you mix into the pasta salad to start and adjust from there.
- Tip # 3: You will want to make sure to cook your pasta until it is al dente to prevent from having soft or soggy pasta in your salad especially since it will be sitting in a dressing.
Recipe FAQ’s
No! Cassava flour pasta is different from regular pasta. When you are boiling cassava flour pasta you will want to make sure to not add EVOO to the boiling water because that can cause the pasta to get soggy.
It shouldn’t, but if you go to serve the pasta salad and it seems dry, you can add more EVOO and red wine vinegar to add moisture back in.
I love to just place it all in a servings bowl that comes with a lid. That way I can mix and serve the pasta salad in the same dish.
Storage Instructions
- This dish can be stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
Other Gluten Free Cookout Recipes You Will Love
Want a free guide of my go to healthy alternatives?
Gluten Free Pasta Salad
Equipment
- stock pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound gluten free pasta I like Jovial. from Thrive Market. Use my link and save $40 on your first order.
- 1 cup red pepper diced, omit for aip
- 1 cup purple onion diced
- 1 cup black olives
- 1 small zucchini diced
- 1/3 cup EVOO
- 4 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp pink sea salt
OPTIONAL:
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes omit for aip
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to instructions on the box. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Store the salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Lori says
Really good and something I will make again and again. Love making a big batch and having it for the week
Allianna Moximchalk says
This is great to keep in the fridge! Glad you liked
Emily says
I made this pasta salad for dinner tonight and it was delicious! I love how easy it was to make. Awesome recipe! My partner and I loved it and we will definitely make this again.
allianna says
I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂