Gluten Free Greek Pasta Salad

June 16, 2019

This Gluten Free Greek Pasta Salad is an easy lunch to pack, weeknight meal, or summer side dish, packed with protein and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, Soy Free, Egg Free, Grain Free

Hello there vegheads! Is anyone else loving the warmer weather we’ve been experiencing?

Warmer weather has me in the mood for easier dinners, light lunches, and less time in the kitchen – ya feel me?

Plus, summer can be a hectic time of year between travel, weddings, happy hours, and the heat, so easy go-to meals are a staple!

That’s why I’m such a fan of pasta salad!

No, I’m not talking about mayo-filled, creamy pasta salad that weighs you down. I’m talking about a light dish that’s balanced and nourishing, so you feel like a million bucks all summer long.

But if you have food allergies, an easy meal, like pasta salad, is often off limits. Not anymore!

This Gluten Free Greek Pasta salad is packed with protein, thanks to lentil pasta.

Lentil pasta or legume-based pasta (like chickpea pasta) is one of my go-to quick meal hacks. With over 10 grams of protein per serving and 6-8 grams of fiber, you don’t need to spend time fussing over how to balance your plate.

Simply add a bunch of veggies and the dressing and you’ve checked off all components for a balanced meal… PVCF (protein, veggies, carbs, and healthy fats).

It doesn’t get much easier than boiling a pot of water, chopping veggies while your water is boiling, and then throwing it all together…

[Tweet “Enjoy this Gluten Free Greek Pasta Salad that’s packed with protein and veggies! #glutenfree”]

Swaps for this Gluten Free Pasta Salad

Of course, you can make swaps, as needed, for this recipe. Here are some ideas of what you may already have in your pantry…

Pasta – If you don’t need to follow a gluten free diet, you can use any pasta you have in your pantry. I suggest a short pasta, like rigatoni or penne. I particularly favor pastas with texture to help soup up some extra dressing.

Proteins – If you do choose to use a wheat pasta, I suggest adding a bigger protein punch to balance your plate. Here are some ideas:

Leftovers – grilled shrimp, fish, or chicken – are always a good idea.
Canned beans or chickpeas – rinse off a can of chickpeas or beans and throw ’em in.
Cheese – cheese does contain some protein to help boost the overall nutrient value of this meal. A Greek feta goes perfectly in this recipe!
Rotisserie chicken – there are so many ways to use a rotisserie chicken, and this is one of them!

Dressing – If you don’t have time to DIY (it’s really so easy – just olive oil and red wine vinegar + some spices), you can use a pre-made Greek dressing. I’m a fan of Primal Kitchen Food’s Greek dressing (made with avocado oil).

Veggies – You can use whatever veggies you have on hand, but I stuck to the “classic” Greek salad veggies (cukes, tomatoes, red onions olives).

I particularly think thinly sliced zucchini would be delicious in here, plus bell peppers, roasted bell peppers, artichoke hearts, and even some greens mixed in!

Fresh Herbs – This recipe calls for dill, but if you’re not a fan you can omit it. You can also add more herbs, like parsley and fresh oregano, if you’d like.