Are you craving a delicious, lightning-fast meal that's both nutritious and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! This Quick Easy Vegan Pasta Salad is about to become your new go-to recipe that will revolutionize your lunch and dinner game. Packed with vibrant vegetables, zesty dressing, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish proves that vegan meals can be both incredibly simple and mind-blowingly delicious.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add 8 ounces of pasta of your choice (such as penne, fusilli, or rotini). Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Rinse 1 cup of cherry tomatoes under cold water and slice them in half. Dice 1 cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Chop 1/4 cup of red onion finely and slice 1/4 cup of olives (black or green, depending on your preference).
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Allow the pasta to drain thoroughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and sliced olives. Gently toss the ingredients together to mix them evenly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of vinegar (balsamic or red wine vinegar works well). Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently until all the ingredients are well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Let the pasta salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. You can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for a short while to serve chilled.
- Enjoy your Quick Easy Vegan Pasta Salad as a refreshing side dish or a light main course!
Tips
- Choose the Right Pasta: Use short, sturdy pasta shapes like penne or rotini that hold dressing well and are easy to eat.
- Cool Pasta Completely: Rinsing pasta with cold water stops cooking and prevents clumping, ensuring a perfect texture.
- Prep Vegetables Uniformly: Cut vegetables into similar-sized pieces for a consistent bite and beautiful presentation.
- Let Flavors Marinate: Allowing the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving helps ingredients absorb the dressing.
- Customize Your Salad: Feel free to add herbs like basil or parsley, or include protein like chickpeas for extra nutrition.
- Make Ahead Friendly: This salad tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator for a few hours, making it perfect for meal prep.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 198kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
