Italian Pasta Salad (GF, DF)

5 from 1 vote

Italian Pasta Salad (GF, DF)

Classic Italian style pasta salad gets a gluten free, dairy free remix. Full of fresh flavor with a light, tangy dressing and loaded with veggies. This one is so easy to toss together, and is great for taking to a get-together or serving as a "make ahead" dish for lunch throughout the week!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: pasta, pasta salad, italian

Servings: cups

Calories: 303kcal

Ingredients

For the Dressing

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar red wine vinegar or white vinegar will also work
1 tsp dried Italian herb seasoning
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp fresh basil finely chopped

For the Pasta Salad

1 lb gluten free rotini or fusilli pasta
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 small zucchini quartered lengthwise, then thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper thinly sliced into 1" strips
1/2 red onion sliced thin then roughly chopped
1/2 cup quartered baby tomatoes
1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts roughly chopped
1/4 cup kalamata olives sliced
salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions

Whisk the dressing ingredients in a large bowl (large enough to hold 8 cups of pasta salad) until smooth and combined. Set aside.
Cook the pasta per package instructions or to your liking, adding salt to the water if you like for more flavor. Drain and toss with 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. While the pasta cools to room temperature, prep your other ingredients.
Add the cooked pasta to the large bowl with dressing and toss lightly to combine. Stir in the zucchini, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and olives. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Stir in chopped chicken or cold cuts if you want, or leave it as is and transfer to the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Serve chilled, and enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Great to make ahead, as it tastes best the second day.

Notes

For gluten free pasta, our favorites are the Banza pasta made from chickpeas (rinse that one after cooking!), and Jovial Foods pasta made from brown rice (super neutral flavor & easy to work with). Any pasta you love will work here - gluten free or not!
If you want to make this more satisfying, add some protein! We love chopped chicken breast, or sliced then chopped cold cuts like ham, pepperoni, and salami.

*Nutrition facts calculated using brown rice pasta

Nutrition