By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On April 9, 2023

A fresh, colorful, and flavorful gluten free pasta salad that is the perfect side dish to any meal. Toss in some extra protein and enjoy this gluten free pasta salad recipe for lunch or dinner.

If you love pasta, you'll want to make my gluten free spaghetti next. My gluten free lasagna is also a reader favorite. For another cold salad idea, try our unique Gluten-Free Chicken Salad.

Gluten Free Pasta Salad Recipe

Tossing together a gluten free pasta salad recipe is quick, simple, and you can mix up the ingredients to switch up flavors and textures. This gluten free pasta salad is a family favorite but you can feel free to add in additional ingredients, or leave something out that you're not a fan of.

Tips for making gluten free pasta salad:

• Follow the package instructions when you make the pasta and watch for doneness. The pasta can go from undercooked to overcooked quickly.
• When your pasta is done, rinse the pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Make sure you use fresh ingredients (not frozen).
• If you're going to be enjoying the gluten free pasta salad over multiple days, consider adding the dressing when you are ready to enjoy it.
• Because pasta salad has a variety of ingredients, it usually only stays good for 3-4 days.

Note: Pasta salad does not freeze well.

How to make gluten free pasta salad

There are only a couple of steps to make gluten free pasta salad.

1. Cook the gluten free pasta according to the package and then rinse the noodles in cold water and drain them to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add in the other ingredients and toss to mix.
3. Add in the dressing.
4. Toss until everything is evenly mixed. Store in the refrigerator.

These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions for this gluten free pasta salad recipe, please see the recipe below.

Ingredients in pasta salad

Pasta salad can have as little or as many ingredients, depending on what you like in your pasta salad. For the most part, there are groups of ingredients and you can add your favorite ingredient from that group.

Pasta - We like to use jovial gluten free pasta but you can use your favorite gluten free pasta. You can also mix up the pasta shapes.

Protein - We like to add salami, or ham, or the occasional chicken breast to pasta salad. Chick peas are a great vegetarian or vegan option.

Vegetables - We like to add tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and olives. You can add other veggies like chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, or even chopped zucchini.

Cheese - You don't have to add cheese but we often do. Mozzarella and cheddar are two of our favorites.

Dressing - We like to keep it simple and add our favorite balsamic dressing. You can add your favorite dressing or make the dressing from scratch. Check out our list of Best Gluten-Free Salad Dressing Brands (+ How to Make at Home). We also highly recommend getting some delicious gluten-free salad dressings from Yo Mama's. So good!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH GLUTEN FREE PASTA SALAD

Another great cold salad option is our Gluten Free Coleslaw. Serve these two salads together with  your favorite grilled food.

Here are some of the gluten free pastas that we like:

• Jovial Pasta (any shape but we stick to rotini for pasta salad)
• Barilla Gluten Free Pasta (make sure it says gluten free on the box)
• Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pasta (it's super inexpensive)
• Ancient Harvest Gluten Free Pasta
• Pamela’s Gluten Free Pasta (this is newer)

Jovial also has a grain free cassava flour pasta. We haven't tried it in pasta salad yet, but we love it in hot pasta dishes.

Did you make this gluten free pasta salad? Leave a comment below and let me know what meat, veggies, and cheese you used.

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Yield: 8 servings

Gluten Free Pasta Salad

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A simple recipe for a flavorful gluten free pasta salad. Tips for making pasta salad included.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 ounces gluten-free rotini
• ⅓ cup (about ½ medium) red onion, finely chopped
• 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, sliced into ½ slices, then cut into quarters
• 4 ounces mini mozzarella balls, drained and halved
• 4 ounces salami slices, cut into ½-inch-wide strips
• ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
• ¾ cup balsamic dressing (or more to taste)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to the package then drain the water from the pan. Add cold water to the pan to quickly cool the pasta. Drain the water and transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl or serving bowl.
2. Add in the red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, salami, and Kalamata olives and toss to mix.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.
4. Chill for 30 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Follow the package instructions when you make the pasta and watch for doneness. The pasta can go from undercooked to overcooked quickly.
• When your pasta is done, rinse the pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process.
• Make sure you use fresh ingredients (not frozen).
• If you're going to be enjoying the gluten free pasta salad over multiple days, consider adding the dressing when you are ready to enjoy it.
• Because pasta salad has a variety of ingredients, it usually only stays good for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 243Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 608mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g

This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.