Is Pasta Salad Gluten-Free?
Traditional pasta is made with flour, which contains gluten, meaning it’s not suitable for a gluten-free diet. Thankfully, there are plenty of gluten-free options with alternative flours like chickpea, rice, corn, or quinoa—perfect for creating a gluten-free pasta salad like this! Here’s what you need to get started.
Key Ingredients
- Pesto: Prepare homemade pesto with simple ingredients or try store-bought pesto like the Kirkland pesto from Costco.
- Pasta: Boil your favorite gluten-free pasta for this recipe; I use chickpea noodles, but feel free to use what you have.
- Mix-Ins: Enhance the gluten free pasta salad with vegetables like asparagus, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach leaves, and juicy cherry or grape tomatoes.
How to Make Gluten Free Pasta Salad
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to Make Cajun Pasta with Salmon
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Boil water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve one cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta through a colander.
Step 2: Warm olive oil in a preheated saute pan. Add the asparagus and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Tip
Cook the pasta slightly less than the package suggests to ensure the noodles are al dente.
Step 3: Transfer the cooked asparagus to a serving bowl and mix it with the artichoke hearts, spinach leaves, pasta, and pesto. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen and combine the ingredients.
Step 4: Gently fold in the tomatoes. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the pasta chill and combine.
Expert Tips
- Prepare al dente pasta. The last thing you want when making pasta salad is sticky, overcooked noodles. Cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions or reduce the cooking time slightly to ensure the pasta is al dente. Al dente is an Italian phrase that literally means to the tooth. It refers to pasta that cooks until tender but still has a slight chew. Chef Alex Aïnouz explains on an episode of Milkstreet that al dente means firm but not undercooked.
- Use a thin pesto. Use thin the pesto to coat the pasta. Some pesto recipes are thick, so you may need to add more olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Then, gently combine the ingredients while the pasta is warm.
Whip up this easy gluten free pasta recipe and pair it with one of these dinner recipes!
Serving Suggestions
This gluten free pasta salad is a total crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, and gatherings. And since it’s gluten-free, it’s a dish everyone can enjoy.
Pair the vibrant pesto pasta salad with beef brisket, blackened mahi mahi, BBQ shredded sandwiches, juicy bratwurst, or grilled tandoori chicken.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover gluten free pasta salad in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: I do not recommend freezing the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy gluten free pasta salad?
You can find gluten-free pasta and pasta salad at most grocery stores or health food stores, often in the gluten-free section.
Online retailers like Thrive Market and Vitacost offer convenient options for shopping gluten-free.
What are some good quality gluten free pasta brands?
There are plenty of great brands to choose from these days—here are a few worth checking out, depending on your preferences.
Barilla and DeLallo Gluten-Free Pasta: Made with a blend of corn and rice flour, these brands offer a taste and texture similar to traditional pasta.
Jovial Foods: Jovial is known for their brown rice pasta and is certified gluten-free and organic.
Banza: Made from chickpea flour, Banza pasta is high in protein and fiber with a slightly nutty flavor.
Tinkyada: If you are looking for a low-carb or grain-free option, Capello’s pasta is made with almond flour.
Capello’s: If you are looking for a low-carb or grain-free option, Capello’s pasta is made with almond flour.
Ancient Harvest: This brand offers quinoa-based pasta that has a firm texture compared to traditional pasta.
Le Venezia: The corn flour based pasta as a similar texture and flavor to regular pasta.
DeLallo Gluten-Free Pasta: Made from a blend of corn and rice, it’s crafted in Italy for a traditional taste.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
Gluten Free Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces gluten-free pasta, cooked according to the package
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch pieces
- ½ cup artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 2 cups spinach leaves
- ½ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, depending on the size
- Warm olive oil in a preheated saute pan. Add the asparagus and cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked asparagus to a serving bowl and mix it with the artichoke hearts, spinach leaves, pasta, and pesto. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen and combine the ingredients.
- Gently fold in the tomatoes. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the pasta chill and combine.
- Prepare al dente pasta. The last thing you want when making pasta salad is sticky, overcooked noodles. Cook your favorite pasta according to the package instructions or reduce the cooking time slightly to ensure the pasta is al dente. Al dente is an Italian phrase that literally means to the tooth. It refers to pasta that cooks until tender but still has a slight chew. Chef Alex Aïnouz explains on an episode of Milkstreet that al dente means firm but not undercooked.
- Use a thin pesto. Use thin the pesto to coat the pasta. Some pesto recipes are thick, so you may need to add more olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Then, gently combine the ingredients while the pasta is warm.