This Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad is easy to make with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and a lightened up dairy-free Caesar dressing. Gluten-free and perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues and comes with all the traditional flavors found in a classic Caesar salad with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options.
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Updated June 2021
Healthy Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Need a plant-based lunch option for summer? This Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad is a fun spin on the traditional Caesar salad made with healthier and gluten-free ingredients. Pasta salads are always a delicious crowd-pleaser and perfect for lunch, a light dinner and spring and summer potlucks, picnics, cookouts and backyard BBQs.
Ingredients you need:
For the vegan pasta salad
- Dried pasta– any gluten-free or grain free pasta brand you like. We love these grain-free pastas from Jovial and Cappello’s. If you are looking for a chickpea or lentil based pasta, you can use Banza pasta shells that are made with chickpeas. For keto, there’s Almond Love or use your favorite low carb pasta you like.
- Romaine lettuce- roughly chopped
- Cherry or grape tomatoes– cut in half
- Green onion- thinly sliced
- Fresh basil- thinly sliced
- Salt and pepper
Optional:
- Chopped nuts or roasted chickpeas – or add in your favorite cooked protein.
- Croutons – homemade & made with gluten free or keto bread; optional
- Vegan Parmesan cheese – shaved or grated. We like Violife.
For the creamy homemade dressing
You can our homemade Vegan Caesar dressing recipe or use your favorite store bought. We like Primal Kitchen.
- Drippy tahini – we like Soom
- Lemon juice- freshly squeezed
- Capers – finely diced
- Caper juice – from the jar
- Dijon mustard – or your favorite grainy-mustard.
- Garlic – minced
- Olive oil – or water to thin out the dressing.
- Fine Sea Salt and freshly cracked black pepper – to taste
How To Make this Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad
MAKE THE DRESSING:
- BLEND: In a small food processor or a high-speed blender, add all the dressing ingredients and puree until creamy and smooth. Or alternatively, you may add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until mixture is well-blended.
- SEASON TO TASTE: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and add 1-2 teaspoons milk or water if needed to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency.
ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:
- ASSEMBLE: In a large bowl, mix the pasta with enough dressing to coat evenly. Cover and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- TOSS: Toss in the rest of the ingredients, except for the croutons. Pour the remainder of the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
- SERVE: Sprinkle with the optional shaved vegan Parmesan and croutons. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge for up to 3 hours.
Make Ahead Tips
- Cook the pasta ahead of time and store in a large reusable container in the refrigerator.
- Wash and chop the lettuce and tomatoes in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Make the dressing in advance and store in a resealable jar in the refrigerator.
Summer pasta salads variations
Pasta salads are always a delicious crowd-pleaser and perfect for lunch, a light dinner and spring and summer potlucks, picnics, cookouts and backyard BBQs.
- They’re quick and easy to make and can easily be customized to what you like or have on hand.
- Plus, they work for a variety of diets and can easily be made gluten-free, vegan, low carb, grain-free, keto or paleo depending on the pasta you use which we’ve included suggestions for below in the recipe card.
Want more gluten-free pasta salad recipes? Check out our Summer Pasta Salad, Broccoli Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad or our Avocado Spinach Pasta Salad.
How To Store This Gluten Free Pasta Recipe
This easy pasta salad will last in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it is perfect for meal prep. Divide the cooked pasta into reusable airtight containers. This is our favorite lunch container. Here are a few of our other favorites for storing food:
- Glass meal prep containers – Divided containers with 2 compartments are great if you want to include a portion of salad plus a side of protein or fruit.
- Jars with lids – Mason jars are great for portioning out salads and they make your fridge look Pinterest-worthy. We love these reusable plastic jar lids for everything you can put in a jar. And for dressings and sauces, these flip-top lids are a must-have!
- Silicone bags – The great thing about silicone bags is that they can be re-used, are dishwasher-safe and don’t absorb odors. We LOVE stand-up bags from Stasher for their 56-ounce capacity and the fact that they stand up minimizing any risk of leakage.
Can you freeze pasta salads?
Yes, you can freeze a pasta salad to preserve it. Here are a few tips:
- Only cook the pasta al dente.
- Be sure to freeze the pasta separate from the other ingredients and dressings for best results.
- Use freezer-safe plastic bags, silicone bags or freezer-safe containers.
- If you would rather freeze it all mixed up in a single container, the pasta may get mushy from the liquid during freezing/thawing.
To thaw: Thaw the pasta, dressing and vegetables in the refrigerator overnight before combining the ingredients. Toss all the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl and adjust seasonings / liquids as needed. Do not refreeze and serve on the same day.
More healthy salad recipes you will love:
Kale Salad with Avocado Caesar Dressing
This Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad is easy to make with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and a lightened up dairy-free Caesar dressing. Gluten-free and perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues and comes with all the traditional flavors found in a classic Caesar salad with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options.
- 1/4 cup drippy Tahini , we like Soom or Artisana.
- 2 teaspoon capers , finely minced
- 2 teaspoons caper juice from the jar
- 3 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or grainy mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic , finely minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or water to thin out the dressing
- fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper , to taste
- 3 cups dried gluten-free pasta , use any gluten-free or grain free pasta brand you like, but if you are paleo these from Jovial, or Almond Love for Keto. If you are looking for a chickpea or lentil based pasta, you can use Banza pasta shells that are made with chickpeas.
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes cut into halves
- 1 green onion thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup grated or shaved Vegan Parmesan cheese plus more for topping , we like Violife. Leave out if preferred.
- 1 cup gluten-free croutons , homemade from gluten-free bread or keto bread
- 1/4 cup walnuts or roasted chickpeas , or serve with cooked protein of choice
To make the dressing:
In a small food processor or a high-speed blender, add all the dressing ingredients and puree until creamy and smooth. Or alternatively, you may add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until mixture is well-blended. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and add 1-2 teaspoons water if needed to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency.
- To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, mix the pasta with enough dressing to coat evenly. Cover and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes. Toss in the rest of the ingredients, except for the croutons. Pour the remainder of the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
Sprinkle with shaved vegan Parmesan and optional croutons. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge for up to 3 hours.
Recipe Video
You can prep the dressing and coat the pasta up to 2 days ahead before assembling with the rest of the salad ingredients. Just keep in an airtight covered container.
Did you try this recipe?
Anita -
Pasta salads are the best. This was is our favorite! Thank you!