Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad
This Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for your next BBQ or picnic, made in just 20 minutes and full of flavor!
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Egg Free, Nut Free
Is there anything better in summer than a delicious pasta salad?
No, I’m not talking about a creamy mayo-filled pasta salad, but instead a light, deliciously nutritious side dish that’s perfect for any BBQ or picnic.
This Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad fits the bill!
Pasta salad is a summer favorite because 1) it’s easy to make, 2) you don’t have to turn on your oven in 90 degree heat, and 3) it can last for days [safely, in your fridge!]. Essentially, it’s the perfect dish to make a huge batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy all week long.
Looking for more pasta salads? Try my Greek Pasta Salad!
Growing up, my mom’s Italian Pasta Salad was a go-to for BBQs. I later learned her secret for so much flavor was a store-bought salad dressing. Well, when I looked at the ingredients on the bottle, I thought there were too many. So I sought out to make a similar-tasting dish that was made from 100% recognizable ingredients I chose to include.
My Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad is lightly dressed with a mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and spices for the perfect creamy tang with minimal ingredients.
Aside from the dressing, I kept the remaining ingredients the same as my mom’s original recipe:
- Pasta
- Roasted red peppers
- Bell peppers
- Artichokes
- Olives
- Parsley
Think about a vegetarian antipasti platter (is there even such a thing?), and that’s what goes into this Italian Pasta Salad.
Seamless Additions…
Of course, just mentioning an antipasti platter gets the juices flowing that there are TONS of additions you can add to this pasta salad to elevate it from side dish to main…
Mozzarella Balls – If you’re a fan of cheese (who isn’t?! OK, my husband!), bump up the fat and protein in this dish by adding mini bocconcini mozzarella balls. These are often found on an antipasti salad bar type situation in the supermarket.
Grilled Chicken or Shrimp – If you want to bump up the lean protein, add grilled chicken or shrimp. You can buy pre-made grilled chicken (or rotisserie chicken) in nearly any supermarket, so just throw it in!
Cured Meats – No, I don’t recommend the regular consumption of cured meats (like salami or prosciutto)! But, if you’re entertaining, this can be a fun way to switch things up and elevate this dish just a notch. Hey… everything in moderation!
Watch me make it…
Gluten Free Pasta Alternatives
The PASTA-bilities are endless! I’m pretty sure the pasta aisle is quadruple in size because there are SO many alternatives now available.
Quinoa Pasta
I made this pasta salad gluten free by using quinoa pasta because I love the shape of these “garden pagodas,” but you could use a variety of other pastas and still have this side dish be gluten free. Quinoa pasta is made from quinoa, which is actually a seed (not a grain), and sometimes corn as well. Quinoa pasta is now available in TONS of shapes, so you can have your pick of the litter!
Per 2 oz serving, quinoa pasta contains 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. This is not a huge amount, so if you’re looking to balance your plate, I suggest adding one of the protein additions suggested above.
Brown Rice Pasta
Personally one of my favorites, brown rice pasta has a mild flavor so it’s usually more of a crowd pleaser than some higher protein and fiber options listed below. Most brown rice pastas only contain 4 grams protein and 3 grams fiber per 2 ounce serving.
Chickpea Pasta
Chickpea pasta is one of the most popular gluten free pasta alternatives because it’s packed with protein. In fact, if you swapped in chickpea pasta, you’d have a perfectly balanced meal with plant-based protein, veggies, carbs, and healthy fats! Per 2 oz serving, chickpea pasta contains 14 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber.
Lentil Pasta
This is another one of my favorites! You can find lentil pasta made from green lentils or red lentils. I think they’re both delicious and have a hearty texture and flavor. Per 2 oz serving, lentil pasta has a similar nutrition profile as chickpea pasta with 14 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber.
This Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad is…
- Vegan
- Dairy free (no summer spoilage if you’re outside!)
- Gluten free
- Full of veggies
- Deliciously nutritious
- Easy to make in less than 20 minutes
- Made with just a handful of ingredients
- A crowd pleaser!
Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad
This Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for your next BBQ or picnic, made in just 20 minutes and full of flavor!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
1 cup uncooked pasta (I used quinoa pasta)
2 chopped roasted bell peppers
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup olives, sliced
1/4 cup roughly chopped parsley
For the marinade:
2 tablespoons good quality olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
While pasta is cooking, prepare dressing: In a small bowl whisk together dressing ingredients until uniform consistency occurs. Set aside.
When pasta is full cooked, add to a large mixing bowl with all other pasta salad ingredients (peppers, olives, parsley). Toss together with marinade until pasta and vegetables are evenly coated.
You may serve immediately, but for best results refrigerate for at least an hour so flavors can meld.
Before serving, add additional dressing to taste. Enjoy!
Keywords: pasta salad, gluten free, dairy free
Don’t forget to PIN this Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad…
Now the only question is what type of pasta will you use?
XO
