A bright, no-pasta pasta salad that is fresh, easy, and ready in minutes.
introduction
This Best No Pasta Pasta Salad uses veggies instead of pasta. It is light, fresh, and good for summer meals or quick sides. If you like easy salads, try a quick Mediterranean chickpea salad for another fast option.
why make this recipe
Make this recipe when you want a simple side without heavy carbs. It is fast to mix, needs no cooking, and keeps well. The mix of tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, and olives gives good color and flavor. You can bring it to picnics or eat it as a light meal. For more salad ideas with fall flavors, see the fall harvest pasta salad.
how to make Best No Pasta Pasta Salad
Ingredients :
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 cup cucumber, diced, 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced, 1/2 cup black olives, sliced, 1/4 cup red onion, diced, 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, 1/4 cup Italian dressing, Salt and pepper to taste
Directions :
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, red onion, and parsley.
- Drizzle with Italian dressing and toss gently to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish.
how to serve Best No Pasta Pasta Salad
Serve this salad cold or at room temperature. It goes well with grilled chicken, fish, or sandwiches. Put it in a bowl for a picnic or on plates for a family meal. You can also serve it on a bed of lettuce for a fuller plate.
how to store Best No Pasta Pasta Salad
Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for 2 to 3 days. The vegetables stay crisp best the first day. If the salad becomes watery, drain extra liquid before serving again.
tips to make Best No Pasta Pasta Salad
- Chop all vegetables evenly so each bite tastes the same.
- Toss gently to avoid crushing the tomatoes.
- Let it sit 10 minutes after dressing so flavors mix.
- Use good quality Italian dressing for best taste.
- For more creative salad mixes, try adding flavors from a jalapeno popper chicken salad idea.
variation (if any)
- Add feta or mozzarella for a cheesy touch.
- Swap Italian dressing for lemon and olive oil for a lighter taste.
- Add chickpeas for more protein.
- Use different olives or herbs for new flavors.
FAQs
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Make it a few hours before serving. Keep it in the fridge and toss gently before serving.
Q: Can I add cheese?
A: Yes. Feta or small mozzarella balls work well.
Q: Is this salad good for a low-carb diet?
A: Yes. It has no pasta and is mostly vegetables, so it is low in carbs.
Q: Will the salad get soggy?
A: It can, after a day. Store in the fridge and drain extra liquid before serving.
Q: Can I change the dressing?
A: Yes. Use lemon and olive oil or your favorite vinaigrette.
Conclusion
For another no-pasta option with a similar idea, see this helpful recipe: Keto No Pasta Pasta Salad – Easy Healthy Side Dish.
PrintBest No Pasta Pasta Salad
A bright, fresh salad using veggies instead of pasta, perfect for summer meals or quick sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, red onion, and parsley.
- Drizzle with Italian dressing and toss gently to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Drain extra liquid before serving again if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, no pasta, veggie salad, healthy side