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Home » Side Dish » Cold Italian Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Cold Italian Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Published: Jun 1, 2020 · Modified: May 31, 2021 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

A Classic Italian Pasta Salad that's gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad you love, with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing! A super easy and quick meat-free vegetarian and dairy-free recipe that's a perfect side dish to feed any crowd!

side overhead view of cold Italian pasta salad in bowl with image text

Literally, can we just take a moment to recognize the pure and utter deliciousness of Italian pasta salads? I've never met a soul who doesn't like a scoop of those cold tri-colored rotini noodles, bright, fresh, crunchy veggies, and that herby vinegary Italian dressing. I understand why some people don't like a classic American macaroni salad, but the mayoless pasta salad? You just can't say no! All pasta salads SCREAM summer and one that's so full of bright colors, it takes the top spot! And with this recipe, everyone can enjoy! It's gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free, so bring it on!angle view of vegan Italian pasta salad in bowl

Ingredients for a Vegan Italian Pasta Salad

As with this summer veggie pasta salad, all cold pasta salads I've ever had growing up have been meat-free, but I guess some families make them with meats such as pepperoni and even include dairy like mozzarella. Not here! This one is all about the gluten-free pasta, veggies, and homemade Italian dressing!

  • Gluten-Free Tri-Color Rotini (you can use plain gluten-free rotini too)
  • English Cucumber
  • Bell Peppers (1 red, 1 orange, 1 yellow)
  • Red Onion
  • Grape Tomatoes
  • Black Olives
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Dried Oregano, Basil, and Parsley
  • Salt & Black Pepper

This recipe serves a CROWD. Since it is no meat or dairy, it will last longer than other cold pasta salads. You can store it in the fridge for a week, making it a perfect side dish or even entree to meal prep! This way, if you don't have a crowd to feed all in one go, you can enjoy this gluten-free pasta salad as you need!

overhead view of gluten-free Italian pasta salad with wooden salad tongs

How to Make the Pasta Salad from Scratch

This is SUCH an easy recipe and so quick to make! It's just chopping up fresh veggies, boiling some gluten-free pasta, and tossing everything together in one BIG bowl!

  1. Boil the gluten-free rotini according to package directions, minus about 2 minutes to keep the noodles from getting mushy.
  2. In the meantime, chop ALL the vegetables and toss them into a bowl.
  3. Drain and rinse the pasta to stop the cooking process and quickly cool the noodles down, before adding them to the chopped veggies.
  4. Measure out the Italian dressing ingredients, pour and sprinkle them into the bowl, and give everything a really good toss to coat and combine.
  5. Let the pasta salad marinate and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Preferably let the cold pasta salad sit in the fridge overnight and serve it the next day for optimal deliciousness.

Making the Homemade Italian Dressing

There's no need to dirty an extra bowl for this. Just measure out the olive oil, vinegar, and herbs and add them right into the pasta salad bowl. You can season to taste here with the herbs and spices you have on hand. Besides the parsley, oregano, and basil, some other flavors you can include:

  • Dried Rosemary
  • Dried Marjoram
  • Dried Thyme
  • Ground Sage
  • Minced Garlic
  • A squirt of Lemon Juice

big bowl of classic Italian Pasta salad with two small serving plates

The Best Way to Store and Serve Gluten-Free Italian Pasta Salad

  • Store the finished pasta salad in a covered bowl or container in the fridge for up to one week.
  • Let the pasta salad sit and chill for a minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge before serving. Ideally, let it sit overnight to really marinate!
  • Toss the pasta salad before serving to distribute all the dressing and flavors again. Serve it cold or bring it room temperature for optimal flavor.
  • Don't leave leftovers out of the fridge any more than an hour or 2 to prevent spoilage.

A Healthy Summer Side Dish for any BBQ or Cookout

This easy pasta salad is a staple during the summer months, but if you ask me, it should be a staple year-round! Pasta, veggies, tons of flavor with no-fuss? It's perfect not only as a dinner side dish, but makes a killer lunch that doesn't need to be reheated! Meal prepping win! Adult and kid-friendly, you can please everyone since it's...

  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan and Vegetarian
  • Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
  • Sugar-Free
  • Make-Ahead & Meal Prep-Friendly

Classic Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

overhead view of finished bowl of vegan classic Italian pasta salad

Print

Cold Italian Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Allergy-Free)

overhead view of finished bowl of vegan classic Italian pasta salad
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 8 reviews

A Classic Italian Pasta Salad that's gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! The cold pasta salad you love, with tri-colored pasta, fresh veggies, and a healthy homemade Italian dressing! A super easy and quick meat-free vegetarian and dairy-free recipe that's a perfect side dish to feed any crowd!

  • Author: Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 Servings 1x
  • Category: Side
  • Method: Boil
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz Gluten-Free Tri-Color Rotini*
  • 2 Cups Chopped English Cucumber (1 large cucumber)
  • 2 Cups Chopped Red Bell Pepper (1 medium pepper)
  • 2 Cups Chopped Orange Bell Pepper (1 medium pepper)
  • 2 Cups Chopped Yellow Bell Pepper (1 medium pepper)
  • 2 Cups Halved Grape Tomatoes (1 pint)
  • 1 Cup Chopped Red Onion (about ½ medium onion)
  • 1 Cup Sliced Black Olives (1 3.8 oz can)

Italian Dressing:

  • ½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • ½ Cup Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 TB Dried Parsley
  • 1 TB Dried Oregano
  • 2 Tsp Dried Basil
  • ½ Tsp Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Boil the gluten-free rotini according to package directions, minus about 2 minutes to keep the noodles from getting mushy.
  2. In the meantime, chop the bell peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and toss them into a large bowl with the sliced black olives.
  3. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process before adding them to the chopped veggies.
  4. Measure and add the olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings to the pasta salad bowl.
  5. Gently mix and toss everything together in the bowl to combine.
  6. Let the pasta salad marinate and chill in the fridge, for at least 30 minutes (preferably overnight), before serving.
  7. Enjoy cool, at room temperature.

Notes

*If you can't get the tri-colored rotini, you can use a plain gluten-free rotini.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Varies

Keywords: pasta, pasta salad, cold pasta salad, classic pasta salad, gluten-free pasta salad, vegan pasta salad, easy pasta salad, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, coconut-free, corn-free, sesame-free, sugar-free, kid-friendly, make-ahead

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @rebeccagf666 on Instagram and hashtag it #strengthandsunshine

collage image of classic cold Italian pasta salad with image text

Literally, I could eat this cold Italian pasta salad EVERY day! It's a staple and a classic for a reason! So, who else is going to be cooking up a batch of this gluten-free pasta salad every week this summer?

More Gluten-Free Pasta Salad Recipes:

  • Summer Veggie Pasta Salad
  • Asian Pasta Salad
  • Simple Summer Corn Macaroni Salad
  • Classic American Macaroni Salad
  • Buffalo Pasta Salad
  • Easy Mexican Pasta Salad
  • Orzo Pasta Salad

So tell me:

+ What is your favorite type of pasta salad?

———————————————-

Stay connected:
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harry

    October 06, 2022 at 9:22 am

    Wow, this is the best! Just like I remember growing up with at cookouts!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      October 06, 2022 at 5:16 pm

      That's what I like to hear!

      Reply
      • Megan B.

        July 03, 2023 at 10:13 am

        Fantastic! My toddler and I are enjoying it now. Will make again! Xoxo, Megan and Mari

        Reply
  2. Jodi Graham

    June 02, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    What a refreshing looking salad - my mouth is watering now for cool pasta salads in this warm summer weather!! ♥

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      June 02, 2022 at 4:40 pm

      Great, enjoy.

      Reply
  3. Kim

    May 30, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    Added 1/2 balsamic vinegar with red wine vinegar, added 1/2 t salt.
    So tasty!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      May 30, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      Glad to hear it!

      Reply
  4. Alyse Stults

    May 29, 2021 at 3:59 pm

    I made a similar recipe and my gluten free rice pasta noodles got hard. Do you know what I did wrong?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      May 30, 2021 at 6:33 am

      I guess you chose the wrong brand and didn't cook them properly. If you don't have celiac disease, feel free to use any old tri-color pasta, of course.

      Reply
      • Sarah

        June 02, 2022 at 11:26 pm

        I am a pasta salad lover as well and this one looks great! Love that it's vegetarian friendly. I'm excited to try this dressing recipie too, sounds yummy!

        Reply
  5. Chantal

    May 29, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Great salad! But why doesn’t the recipe call for salt? In my opinion, it needs some.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      May 30, 2021 at 6:32 am

      Go ahead! If that's your vibe, nothing is stopping you but yourself!

      Reply
  6. Helen

    June 12, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    Loved this! Tastes just like a traditional Italian pasta salad should taste like!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 13, 2020 at 7:46 am

      So glad to hear you liked it!

      Reply
  7. Theresa

    June 11, 2020 at 9:35 am

    I love Italian pasta salads! They are always a staple for our at-home bbqs!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 11, 2020 at 11:32 am

      They are always a must during the summer!

      Reply
  8. Angela

    June 06, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    Yummy, I love having pasta salad in the summer with my veggie burgers. I'll have to make this for my next BBQ or for the 4th of July. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I can't wait to try it.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 07, 2020 at 6:46 am

      Right? It's always the perfect cookout side dish!

      Reply
  9. Roseann Hampton

    June 06, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    Looks like a great meal for a hot evening!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 07, 2020 at 6:46 am

      Sure, you could make it a meal!

      Reply
  10. Gidge

    June 05, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    I going to have to try this recipe!! I love cold pasta salad, perfect for hot summer days.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 05, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      Mmhm, it's a total summer essential!

      Reply
  11. Kate

    June 05, 2020 at 9:33 am

    I love a cold pasta salad. They are delicious and versatile. Yours is so vibrant and colourful too

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 05, 2020 at 4:58 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  12. bethan taylor-swaine

    June 05, 2020 at 6:37 am

    This looks really delicious! I'm always on the hunt for new salads to try, especially as I've had to cut a lot of foods out of my diet recently. Will be adding this to the roster!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 05, 2020 at 7:24 am

      It's perfect for a quick lunch you can meal prep!

      Reply
  13. Kat

    June 04, 2020 at 11:52 am

    Saved this to my Pinterest. Definitely going to make for my next BBQ or picnic. sounds delicious!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 04, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      It will be a hit! Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  14. Andrea

    June 01, 2020 at 8:47 am

    Forwarding this to myself - I’m a big pasta salad lover!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 01, 2020 at 5:34 pm

      Always so good! Hope you whip some up soon!

      Reply
  15. blanca

    June 01, 2020 at 8:25 am

    It's like you were in my mind and stomach today. I was craving just this thing. It sounds so tasty and pretty much anyone can eat it (perfect party food). Gonna go make myself a batch right now 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 01, 2020 at 5:34 pm

      It makes so much! Great for a crowd or just to have in the fridge to grab for lunch all week!

      Reply
  16. Brooke R

    June 01, 2020 at 8:19 am

    This looks fantastic!! I can’t wait to try it this weekend!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 01, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      Let me know if you make it, what you think!

      Reply
  17. Kate

    June 01, 2020 at 8:03 am

    This look absolutely delicious - I can’t wait to try!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      June 01, 2020 at 5:33 pm

      A summer essential (year-round, haha!)

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services! More about me



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