This post will show 22 cold, healthy pasta salad recipes that are quick and easy to make for lunch, dinner, or an appetizer for parties.
Are you having problems finding quick meals that are really wholesome and flavorful?
Yes, I can understand. It is actually very difficult to find something that is both nutritious and delicious.
But cold, healthy pasta salad recipes are the answer to your questions.
This can be added to your eating routines as a light lunch, a munchy side dish, or a simple weekend treat to satisfy your cravings without putting on calories.
I’ve curated the complete list of cold, healthy pasta salad recipes that are easy to make for lunch and even for dinner.
22 Cold Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes for You!
1. Quinoa Pasta Cold Salad With Olives
This summer’s perfect cold pasta salad is highly nutritious.
It combines quinoa pasta, which we all know is a great protein-rich and gluten-free alternative.
Moreover, it also has olives that offer heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants such as vitamin E.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Quinoa pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, cucumber, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh parsley.
2. White Beans & Lentils Pasta Cold Salad
This high-protein salad contains a unique composition of three ingredients: white beans, lentils, and pasta, to give a simple and healthy meal that also satisfies hunger.
Also, the white beans act as a source of dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium to aid digestion.
Indeed, protein and iron are the topmost nutritive elements in lentils, generally making them very important for vegetarians and health-conscious individuals wishing to maintain a healthy diet.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole grain or wheat pasta, cooked lentils & white beans, red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, cherry tomatoes, and fresh parsley.
3. Homemade Pesto & Pine Nuts Pasta Salad Recipe
This great homemade pesto pasta salad recipe has been winning the hearts of my family since the day I started making it.
The fine-tune fusion of fresh pesto cream and pine nut texture results in a delicious recipe.
I use wholegrain pasta instead of regular refined pasta to make it super healthy.
Indeed, whole-grain pasta has a fiber content that slowly releases carbohydrates and gives you sustained energy all day.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Cooked whole grain pasta, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic.
4. Multigrain Spaghetti Pasta Cold Salad
Let’s spill the beans. Multigrain spaghetti is an awesome substitute for the refined wheat flour pasta we often eat for breakfast or lunch.
This recipe offers you higher fiber content that helps support the digestive system and keeps you satisfied for a longer time.
It can be beautifully paired with healthy green leafy vegetables and a homemade dressing made up of buttermilk or vinaigrette.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Multigrain spaghetti, cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, veggies (carrots, broccoli florets, leafy greens), Dijon mustard, and olive oil.
5. Herby Mixed Veggies Pasta Cold Salad
The real talk and no unwanted facts! This is one of the best healthy pasta salad recipes that everyone should try.
The herby mixed veggies Pasta infuses veggies that include vitamin C-supplemented potassium and fiber.
Just add the magic of fresh herbs. For instance, fresh basil and cilantro boost and activate the antioxidants.
To make this recipe 100% healthier, choose whole wheat pasta instead of refined wheat flour pasta.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole wheat pasta, fresh basil leaves, fresh cilantro, zucchini, bell peppers, olive oil, and garlic.
6. Herby Olive Italian Orzo Pasta Salad
Pleasing herby Italian orzo salad is a must-try pasta salad recipe. It is nutritious with whole grain orzo, filled with crunchy veggies, sour & savory olives, and creamy feta cheese.
To get the complete burst of flavors, just toss in a homemade Italian dressing for a hot day of summer lunch.
In short, it can be among your clean-eating lunch ideas that are yummy and flavorful, and easy to customize.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole grain Orzo, veggies, herbs (basil, parsley), Dijon mustard, olive oil, green olives, and pepperoncini.
7. Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Here is our next healthy and colorful recipe loaded with layers of Mediterranean vegetables that prepares a great summertime side of cold pasta salad in less than 30 minutes.
When summer just approaches and the weather gets hot means that it is the perfect time to eat veggie-loaded Mediterranean Pasta Salad with
Mediterranean veggies such as juicy tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, savory olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Just tossed these ingredients together with tomato vinaigrette to get a “wow” taste.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Wholegrain small pasta, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and tomato vinaigrette.
8. Avocado Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Easy to prepare and working for 20 minutes of your time, this salad will assure sustained energy all through the day.
It is such a wonderful dish full of fresh and flavorful Mediterranean touches and a very good lemon basil dressing!
It is one of the healthy pasta salad recipes that can be easily prepared for your hot summer lunchtime.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Multigrain pasta, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, feta crumbles, red onions, Kalamata olives, avocado, and lemon basil vinaigrette.
9. Tuna Wholewheat Macaroni Salad
It’s just another easy and simple way to add high-protein to your dinner.
Since today, whenever I go to my parents’ house, I always ask my mother if they’re cooking tuna, wholewheat macaroni salad for dinner, or not.
My mother uses the fresh homemade Greek Yogurt dressing to make it nutritious and super healthy. You can try it that way.
And yes, it is a tummy-filling and pocket-friendly recipe that is hard to resist because it’s finger-licking good.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Wholewheat macaroni pasta, green olives, canned tuna, parsley, lettuce, bell pepper, and celery.
10. 5-Ingredient Italian Pasta Salad
This recipe is an easy meal prep for lazy dinners when you’re not ready to cook a full dinner.
If you expect a sudden guest and keep on guessing what to cook as your at-the-moment guest has come, then believe me, this is the best low-carb pasta recipe that will make your guest happy!
Moreover, to serve your guests the healthier version of Italian Pasta Salad, substitute your pasta choice with whole grain pasta.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole grain radiatori pasta, homemade pesto cream, sun-dried tomatoes, baby arugula, and pepper.
11. Shrimp, Bacon, Avocado Pasta Salad
Now, here is yet another very popular recipe that can serve well as the other or the light main.
Yesterday was my family dinner, with my mom making it for the second night running.
My mom cooked the healthier version of this salad by replacing it with multigrain pasta instead of regular pasta to enhance its nutritional value.
Yes, we can say it’s super healthy, hearty, and satisfying.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Multigrain pasta, shrimp, fresh vegetables, cherry tomatoes, chives, corn, avocado, bacon, fresh homemade lemon juice & red wine vinegar.
12. Roasted Chickpeas & Sprouts Pasta Salad
Yes, you heard it right! The ultimate protein, combined with roasted chickpeas & sprouts salad, is going to win you over.
These are vegetarian, whole plant-based foods that will keep you full for longer periods.
If I talk about its benefits, then hear me out. This contains chickpeas that are rich in iron and magnesium.
The next good ingredient it has is sprouts. Sprouts provide enzymes and further antioxidants to the body.
You can have it as a post-workout meal.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Cooked whole-grain pasta, sprouts, roasted chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, tahini, lemon juice, and olive oil.
13. Healthy Cucumber Pasta Salad
If you’re thinking it’s strange that it contains coconut.
This creamy no-mayo cucumber pasta salad is simple and big on taste and crunch.
This classic dish works perfectly with the combination of creamy Greek yogurt with lemon, and dill.
Hence, making it a super-addictive dressing.
The best thing about this salad is that it’s a healthier yet interesting alternative for kids and adults.
More than that, it’s refreshing (loaded with cucumbers) and low in calories.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole grain or wheat rotini pasta, English cucumbers, red onions, and Greek yogurt with lemon and dill.
14. Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Pasta Salad
No instant reviews, just pure feedback on my all-time favorite black bean, corn, and avocado pasta salad.
This is among the clean-eating black bean pasta dishes packed with the colorful delight that is hard to ignore on the days when the weather is just rainy.
Want a secret sauce? Just prepare a homemade herb-lime vinaigrette that keeps the taste combined.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole wheat pasta, corn kernels, red wine or balsamic vinegar, lime juice, fresh cilantro, shallot, ground pepper, no-salt black beans, avocado, and cotija cheese.
15. Artichoke, Chickpea & Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Next, we have artichoke, chickpea & mozzarella salad pasta that has drawn inspiration from a conventional antipasto platter.
This pasta salad dish is diabetic-friendly and contains good protein.
Hence, it can be taken by anyone coming straight from the gym or by those who really want to enjoy a nutrition-packed pasta recipe.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole-wheat pasta, fresh basil, shallot, red onion, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cubed salami, fresh mozzarella, and artichoke hearts.
16. Summer Vegetable Pasta Cold Salad
Craving a light and fresh summer pasta salad? We got you, buddy!
Our summer vegetable pasta salad is just for you.
This hot season, munch on the unforgettable crunchy taste of vegetables and cold pasta salad.
The best part? You can add as many vegetables as you desire.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Legume pasta (whole wheat as a substitute), lots of veggies, black olives, artichokes, chopped spinach, feta cheese, and salami.
17. Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
It is that time of the year when we all want to eat something cold and refreshing with roasted vegetables.
Since broccoli wins the vegetable race, I decided to put this special broccoli pasta salad recipe into the list of 22 healthy pasta salad recipes.
If you combine it with sour and tangy homemade tomato vinaigrette and nutty sunflower seeds.
Then trust me, friends, this is a flavor bomb that is ready to burst in your mouth.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Multigrain or whole wheat pasta of your choice, roasted broccoli, red onions, unsalted sunflower seeds, feta, and tomato basil vinaigrette.
18. Easiest Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
This kind of pasta is the easiest to make. You can prepare it in just 20 minutes.
What’s more, this Italian flavor is perfect for the busy weeknights and summer BBQs we all want once in a while.
This pasta is just loaded with tasty veggies, succulent, juicy meats, and tangy Italian dressing of great taste.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole grain or wheat rotini pasta, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, sliced olives, Italian dressing, and sliced pepperoni.
19. Lemon Kale Pasta Salad with Pistachio Nuts
Next on our list of healthy pasta salad recipes is crunchy lemon kale pasta salad with pistachio nuts.
This can become your next irresistible healthy comfort food. It is quick meal prep that just takes 20 minutes of your day.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Gluten-free pasta, kale, pistachio nuts, extra virgin oil, and seasonings such as lemon juice, pepper, and crushed red pepper.
20. Holy Guacamole Pasta Salad
This holy guacamole pasta salad is so light, refreshing, and protein-rich.
If you’re a food lover who constantly loves to explore foods.
Then, trying this new creamy, crunchy, and spicy pasta salad recipe is no less than a hidden gem.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Small pasta (multigrain), lettuce, tomatoes, red pepper, avocado, spring onions and herbs, pink pickles, and some nuts and seeds.
21. Caprese Pasta Salad
It is basically a pasta-type Caprese salad.
Caprese pasta salad has all the flavors with the hearty goodness of multigrain pasta.
Plus, you can add a sweet and savory, delightful dressing that perfectly complements the salad.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Fresh grape tomatoes, bocconcini, basil leaves, cooked multi-grain pasta, white balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.
22. Spinach and Orzo Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Last, but certainly not least, something quick and easy like a tossed balsamic vinaigrette can really make this spinach and orzo salad shine with complementary flavors.
You can also add homemade Greek yogurt dressing as a great alternative. In the end, your choice and taste matter.
Ingredients you’ll need to make it:
Whole wheat orzo, fresh baby spinach, sundried tomatoes, feta, garlic, Dijon mustard, dried basil, balsamic vinegar, and pepper to taste.
That’s A Wrap On Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes!
I have tried to list the best healthy pasta salad recipes in this blog post.
All the above-mentioned cold healthy salad pasta recipes are perfect for family get-togethers, house parties, and even a solo weekend picnic.
I recommend you try them once. So your eating routine doesn’t get dull.
If you have already tried some of them, then let me know in the comments how they tasted.
You May Also Like:
- 23 Best Easy & Healthy BBQ Side Dishes: Perfect for a Crowd or Summer Parties
- 27 Easy & Healthy High-Protein Snack Ideas That Are Perfect For a Low-Calorie Diet
References
- 7 Easy-To-Make Pasta Cold Salad Recipes For A Healthy Guilt-Free Meal! https://toneopeats.com/blogs/pasta-cold-salad-recipes
- The Best Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes The Best Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes (no mayo!) | Ambitious Kitchen
- Avocado & Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette Avocado Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad | Ambitious Kitchen
- This 5-Ingredient Pasta Salad Is Always in My Fridge This 5-Ingredient Pasta Salad Is Always in My Fridge
- Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad Shrimp Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe | The Seasoned Mom
- Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Pasta Salad https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/7973988/black-bean-corn-avocado-pasta-salad/
- Best Pasta Salad Recipes https://www.budgetbytes.com/best-pasta-salad-recipes/
- Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe (Easy & Fresh) – Basics With Bails https://basicswithbails.com/course/dinner/caprese-pasta-salad/
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