• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Order Meal Prep
  • Courses
  • About

Allianna's Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Order Meal Prep
  • Courses
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring Recipes
    • Recipes
    • Order Meal Prep
    • Courses
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Allianna's Kitchen » Recipes » Appetizers

    Published: Apr 1, 2024 · Modified: May 22, 2024 by Allianna Moximchalk · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Easy Gluten Free Pasta Salad

    157 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    jump to recipe / print recipe

    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. 

    Paleo pasta salad in a blue bowl with a wooden spoon.

    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. 

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Equipment Needed
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • Storage Instructions
    • Other Gluten Free Cookout Recipes You Will Love
    • Want a free guide of my go to healthy alternatives?
    • Gluten Free Pasta Salad

    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

    Paleo pasta salad ingredients in glass mixing bowls on a metal tray.
    • 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

    Paleo pasta salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
    Step #1: First, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box. Mix all of the Italian dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Pour the dressing over the cooked pasta and combine it with fresh veggies. Then store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep in mind this delicious pasta salad needs to marinate for a little bit prior to eating so it is best to let the dressing set prior to digging in!

    Equipment Needed

    • Stock pot
    • Mixing bowl

    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

    Does cassava flour pasta cook the same as regular pasta?

    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.

    Will the pasta dry out if it sits in the refrigerator?

    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.

    How should I serve this dish?

    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.

    Paleo pasta salad in a blue bowl with a glass and red pepper flakes.

    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

    • thai pasta salad in a blue bowl with a gold spoon
      Thai Pasta Salad (Whole30 Friendly)
    • Cucumber and watermelon salad on a plate with limes, pepper and honey drizzled on top.
      Cucumber Watermelon Salad
    • paleo potato salad on a plate with green onion on top
      Gluten Free Potato Salad Recipe
    • strawberry poppyseed salad 1 scaled
      Panera Inspired Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

    Want a free guide of my go to healthy alternatives?

     
    download your FREE guide here
    Pasta salad with olives, peppers and onions in a blue bowl with a white napkin under it.

    Gluten Free Pasta Salad

    Course Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 19 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Author Allianna Moximchalk
    122kcal
    Cost $10
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    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.

    Notes

    Storage: This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air tight container.  If the pasta salad is dry you can add more liquid dressing to it when you serve it.
    Nutrition: The nutrition for this recipe is an estimate and the calorie count is not guaranteed.  It is based on 8 servings. 
    Servings: This recipe should yield 8 servings. 
    Quick and easy gluten free pasta salad alternative.
    Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 701IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on instagram @alliannaskitchen!

    More Delicious Paleo & AIP Appetizers

    • Stuffed mushrooms on a brown and white plate with fresh parsley on top.
      Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Roasted grapes on a ruffled off white plate.
      Roasted Grapes
    • Pretty french onion dip in a silver bowl with potato chips and chives on top.
      Vegan French Onion Dip Recipe
    • Close up photo of pesto orzo salad in a blue bowl with tomatoes and pine nuts on top.
      Pesto Orzo Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori says

      February 18, 2022 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      Really good and something I will make again and again. Love making a big batch and having it for the week

      Reply
      • Allianna Moximchalk says

        February 18, 2022 at 1:56 pm

        This is great to keep in the fridge! Glad you liked

        Reply
    2. Emily says

      February 15, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
      • allianna says

        February 18, 2021 at 9:59 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Allianna Headshots

    Hi, I'm Allianna! Allianna's Kitchen started by accident after battling an undiagnosed autoimmune disease for nearly my whole life.

    More about me →

    GLUTEN FREE DINNER RECIPES

    • steak date night dinner 1
      Steak Date Night Dinner with Garlic Aioli
    • gluten free fried shrimp 3 scaled
      Gluten Free Fried Shrimp
    • cooked frozen pork chops with chives on top on a white plate with a gold fork
      Easy Frozen Pork Chops In The Air Fryer
    • halibut fish tacos on a pale blue plate
      Halibut Fish Tacos

    EASY WHOLE30 RECIPES

    • Beetroot dip on a plate with crackers and fresh parsley on top.
      Simple Beetroot Dip Recipe
    • close up photo of ginger apple pork in a bowl
      Apple Ginger Pulled Pork
    • dairy free lobster bisque in a bowl with a gold spoon and garnished with lemon, fresh green herbs, and red pepper flakes.
      Dairy Free Lobster Bisque
    • juicy filet mignon on a plate
      Air Fryer Filet Mignon

    GLUTEN FREE APPETIZERS

    • peanut butter and jelly chicken wings on a plate with limes
      Peanut Butter And Jelly Wings
    • Stuffed mushrooms on a brown and white plate with fresh parsley on top.
      Gluten-Free Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Gluten free pigs in a blanket in a pile on a plate.
      Gluten Free Pigs In A Blanket
    • Pretty french onion dip in a silver bowl with potato chips and chives on top.
      Vegan French Onion Dip Recipe

    EASY MOCKTAIL RECIPES

    • honey simple syrup 2
      Honey Simple Syrup
    • orange lime cranberry mocktail 4
      Cranberry Mocktail Recipe
    • Clear glass with a brown drink and a cinnamon stick in it.
      Pear Cocktail Recipe
    • Grapefruit mocktail in a glass with jalapeño slice and grapefruit slice.
      Easy Grapefruit Mocktail Recipe

    Footer

    • Recipes
    • My Courses
    • Meal Prep Services
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Blog
    • Privacy Policy
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Allianna’s Kitchen 2025 - All Rights Reserved

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.