{"id":23248,"date":"2017-04-25T05:00:10","date_gmt":"2017-04-25T11:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/?p=23248"},"modified":"2021-04-27T11:59:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T17:59:35","slug":"easy-vegan-italian-pasta-salad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blissfulbasil.com\/easy-vegan-italian-pasta-salad\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Vegan Italian Pasta Salad"},"content":{"rendered":"

This easy vegan Italian pasta salad is packed with veggies. Think juicy cherry tomatoes, salty black olives and sun-dried tomatoes, silky roasted red peppers, tangy marinated artichokes, fine threads of crisp red onion, and just a touch of fresh herbs for a pop of green goodness. A hearty, gluten-free fusilli serves as the perfect base, mingling with the veggies and a zesty Italian vinaigrette in the best of ways. The finishing touch? Plentiful sprinkles\u00a0of salty vegan\u00a0parmesan. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or a meat-lover through and through, this easy vegan Italian pasta salad is bound to find a special place in your heart as well as your lineup of long weekend must-haves.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Easy
\nThis post is sponsored by truRoots<\/a>. All thoughts and opinions are my own.<\/em><\/p>\n

It probably comes as no surprise that I love pasta. From hot and creamy pasta dishes<\/a>\u00a0to raw, energizing, and zoodle-y plays on pasta<\/a>, if it resembles a noodle, chances are I'll enjoy it. And in warm-weather months when backyard barbecues and sunshiny rays abound, there's nothing that satisfies quite like chilled, veggie-laden pasta salad.<\/p>\n

Pasta salad conjures up a slew of\u00a0childhood memories for me. Summer weekends with my mom and stepdad were characterized by picnics in Grant Park<\/a>\u00a0and my mom's amazing balsamic-kissed Italian tortellini salad; summer weekends with my dad and stepmom were spent boating the Chain O'Lakes<\/a>\u00a0with heaps\u00a0of chilled deli pasta salad aboard and in-hand at all times.<\/p>\n

So perhaps my enduring affinity for all things\u00a0pasta stems from the simple fact that I've grown to associate so many fond memories with\u00a0the stuff. Or maybe it's just because it's pasta, and pasta is delicious.<\/p>\n

Either way,\u00a0now that we're teetering on the brink of\u00a0summer\u00a0events and warm weather, we best arm our\u00a0homes with the essential food of good memories made: pasta salad.<\/p>\n

Easy vegan Italian pasta salad, that is.<\/p>\n

\"Easy
\n\"Easy<\/p>\n

This pasta salad comes together in a snappy 30 minutes flat (give or take a few depending on the breadth of your chopping skillz).<\/p>\n

To make it, you'll start by bringing a large pot of well-salted water to a boil.<\/p>\n

As you wait for the water to boil, prep your veggies and herb\/s. Gather, chop, slice, dice, mince, etc. the following:<\/p>\n

Cherry or grape tomatoes.<\/p>\n

Roasted red peppers.<\/p>\n

Marinated artichoke hearts.<\/p>\n

Sun-dried tomatoes.<\/p>\n

Black olives.<\/p>\n

Red onion.<\/p>\n

Fresh parsley or basil.<\/p>\n

Once you have your\u00a0mise en place<\/em>, add 8 ounces of\u00a0truRoots<\/em> Ancient Grain Fusilli to the boiling water and cook until al dente.<\/p>\n

truRoots<\/em> Ancient Grain Pastas are Certified USDA Organic and gluten-free. Plus, they're made with a blend of unique, quality ingredients. For instance, the fusilli is made with quinoa, amaranth, brown rice, and corn.<\/p>\n

I have to say, I'm always a bit wary when it comes to gluten-free pasta\u2014all too often it turns to mush or clumps together. I had my doubts that truRoots<\/em> would be any different, but I'm thrilled to say that its\u00a0texture is unparalleled when it comes to gluten-free pasta or any pasta for that matter.<\/p>\n

It cooks up to a true al dente\u2014no mushiness, sogginess, or stickiness\u2014and is the ideal pasta to use in this salad for that very reason. In fact, I\u00a0was so pleasantly surprised by its\u00a0texture and flavor that\u00a0I actually double-checked to see\u00a0if it was gluten-free. It is. As are all\u00a0truRoots<\/em>\u00a0products.<\/p>\n

\"Easy
\n\"Easy<\/p>\n

While the pasta cooks, you'll whip up a quick and easy Italian vinaigrette (or feel free to opt for store-bought instead) as well as a super simple vegan parmesan cheese.<\/p>\n

Once the ingredients are prepped and ready to go, add\u00a0everything to\u00a0a serving bowl, toss to coat, and serve.<\/p>\n

That's it.<\/p>\n

\"Easy<\/p>\n

This easy vegan Italian pasta salad is everything that a pasta salad should be.<\/p>\n

It's flavorful, zesty, hearty, chilled, veggie-packed, salty, tangy, and satisfying.<\/p>\n

This is the perfect side dish to share with a crowd on a warm summer's day and makes for a tasty\u00a0light lunch on those extra-steamy days once\u00a0the summer haze has officially\u00a0taken hold.<\/p>\n

\"Easy<\/p>\n

\"Easy<\/p>\n

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\ud83d\udcd6 Recipe<\/h2>
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\"Easy<\/div>\n\t
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5<\/span> from 8<\/span> votes<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Easy Vegan Italian Pasta Salad<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\n
This easy vegan Italian pasta salad is packed with veggies. Think juicy cherry tomatoes, salty black olives and sun-dried tomatoes, silky roasted red peppers, tangy marinated artichokes, fine threads of crisp red onion, and just a touch of fresh herbs for a pop of green goodness. A hearty, gluten-free fusilli serves as the perfect base, mingling with the veggies and a zesty Italian vinaigrette in the best of ways. The finishing touch? Heaps of salty vegan parmesan.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Course <\/span>Pasta, Salad, Side Dish<\/span><\/div>
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Cuisine <\/span>Gluten-Free, Italian, plant-based, Vegan<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Prep Time <\/span>20 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/div>
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Cook Time <\/span>10 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/div>
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Total Time <\/span>30 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/span> Servings <\/span>6<\/span> side servings<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h3>