Rainbow Pasta Salad (vegan, gluten-free, oil and nut-free)

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This Rainbow Pasta Salad is vegan, gluten free, oil free AND nut-free. It’s also bursting with delicious flavor from colorful veggies and a tahini-lemony dressing. =)

I love easy pasta salad recipes, and this is one of my faves! This Rainbow Pasta Salad is:

• oil-free,
• gluten-free,
• nut-free,
• lemony,
• filled with delicious, colorful, nutritious veggies,
• and easy to make!

Let’s get started.

To begin, cook the pasta according to package directions, to al dente (note: I use fusilli and it takes roughly 8-9 minutes until al dente). Drain and rinse with cold water.

Meanwhile, prepare and chop your veggies.

As you chop, add the chopped red onion, orange pepper, cherry tomatoes, black olives and arugula to a large bowl.

To prepare the dressing- in a small bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients below:

Stir the sauce ingredients together with a small whisk until blended thoroughly.

Lastly, add the cooked noodles to the large bowl of veggies, then add the sauce and stir with a large spoon until combined. Serve immediately.

This recipe makes about 8 cups pasta salad, or 4 (2-cup) servings. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Additional tips:

• If making this ahead of time, I HIGHLY recommend keeping the sauce separate until serving, so the pasta retains its flavor over time.
• This dish also goes great topped with toasted pine nuts, or pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds).

Rainbow Pasta Salad

This Rainbow Pasta Salad is vegan, gluten free, oil free AND nut-free. It’s also bursting with delicious flavor from colorful veggies and a tahini-lemony dressing. =)

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10
• Total Time: 30
• Yield: 4 1x
• Cuisine: Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat pasta (or gluten free)- I use fusilli
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 medium orange bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 1 cup cherry/grape tomatoes, halved
• 3.8 ounce jar sliced black olives, drained
• 1 1/2 cups baby arugula, packed

Dressing:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• juice from 1 lemon (2-3 tablespoons)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or agave nectar)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, al dente (note: I use fusilli and it takes roughly 8-9 minutes until al dente). Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, prepare and chop veggies. Add chopped red onion, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, black olives and arugula to a large bowl.

3. Prepare the dressing by combining all dressing ingredients to a small bowl. Stir with a small whisk until smooth.

4. When the noodles are done, add noodles to the large bowl of veggies. Next add the sauce and stir until combined. Serve immediately.

5. This dish makes 4 (2-cup) servings. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Note: if making this ahead of time, I highly recommend keeping the sauce separate until just before serving to retain the best flavor. 

Notes

Recommended Tools:

• I love to use this zester to mince garlic. 
• I use this small whisk for mixing dressings.

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