No-Mayo Pasta Salad

Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Summer foods mean cookouts, outdoor fun, beach time, and picnic foods and this No-mayo Summer Pasta Salad are always at the top of the list.


This salad has so many possibilities to be made with meat, seafood or just vegetables, the dressing is perfect with anything you add to eat and the pasta you choose can be any kind you happen to have, interested yet?


Today I happened to have baby shells pasta in the cupboard but I usually try to keep a box of tri-colored spirals on hand or wagon wheels for the kids, it's colorful and fun to serve.


The recipe truly is adaptable and my suggestions will help you build your own salad tailored to however your family likes it, and if you're in a hurry you can even use bottled dressing instead of homemade like our recipe.


If you love easy recipes and if you're a huge fan of pasta try my 15 Pasta Recipes.


Scroll down to get this easily printable recipe with step-by-step instructions.



this is a delicious pasta salad made with shell pasta and vegetables in a salad style dressing in a white dish







No Mayo Versus Mayo




We just love our Italian style pasta salad and Mom also made a No-Mayo Italian Potato Salad also made with a light dressing and no mayo, truly not a popular opinion to most who love that ingredients,however if you really love the mayo versions here are two recipes to try Macaroni Salad and Potato Salad.



I love using baby seashell pasta the best or wagon wheels for the kids, they are both perfect shapes for a summer salad along with tri-colored pasta for holiday it's so festive!



Pasta is a staple in our home and we always come up with creative ideas to change it up a little, and I just feel making a pasta salad with a light dressing is safer outdoors and perfect for grilling season since you can top it with the meat of anything off the grill.



Now once you see my long list of additions you will be able to build your own pasta salad for the most delicious and best indoor or outdoor side dish ever!


cold pasta salad Italian style in a white dish




Other Additions

  • grilled chicken or other grilled meats to top your salad or mix in cooked or grilled seafood IE shrimp skewers 
  • julienned or chopped vegetables of any kind IE zucchini, carrots, broccoli slaw, cabbage slaw
  •  black beans, chickpeas, cannellini beans, lupini beans, red beans snap peas 
  • black, green, or any kinds of olives 
  • fresh orange sections 
  • canned artichoke hearts or hearts of palm 
  • steamed vegetables IE asparagus
  •  bell peppers or hot peppers 
  • raw arugula or spinach
  •  smoked meats and fish IE salmon broccoli florets, cauliflower florets crispy bacon cold cubed cheeses of any kind chopped deli ham, salami, roast beef, turkey, chicken, etc any leftover meats like rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast boneless 
  • white or red washed grapes 
  • toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans 
  • avocado cubes 
  • fresh corn off the cob 
  • celery, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, 
  • cubed cubed mango 
  • dried fruits: craisins, raisins, pineapple, or papaya 
  •  garnish: grated cheese Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, croutons seasoned set up a pasta bar and let them add their own toppings!


this a summer salad without mayo and a freshly made dressing with pasta



Pasta Suggestions

  1. rigatoni 
  2. wagon wheel pasta 
  3. tri-colored spirals 
  4. bowties
  5.  mostaccioli 
  6. penne 
  7. seashells


this is cooked shell pasta



Tips

  • cook any kind of pasta you like to package instructions and add a few teaspoons of oil while you're chopping the vegetables to keep your pasta from sticking together 
  • top your salad with grilled meats instead of adding them to the salad  
  • you can use any kind of vinegar, white, red, rice, balsamic 
  • if using tomatoes do not use overripe use fresh firm grape of plum tomatoes 
  • add avocado to lime or lemon juice first or they will turn brown 
  • use any cooked meats you prefer even deli-style or leftover rotisserie chicken, steak, pork, or more crispy bacon and seafood ( I usually keep meats in containers and they can add the cold ) 
  • finely diced or julienne vegetables work the best 
  • in a hurry? use bottled Italian dressing or vinaigrette and bagged julienned vegetables 
  • use a large divider covered plastic container set up as a serving bar with meats and seafood they can build their own pasta summer salad 
  • use whole wheat or low carb pasta for a healthier salad make your salad all vegetarian or with meat


this is a chicken cubed sauteed for topping a summer pasta salad




Tools

  1. pot for boiling pasta 
  2.  pasta bowl 
  3.  colander 
  4.  spoon 
  5.  measuring cups
  6.  knife 
  7.  cutting board 
  8.  measuring spoons 
  9.  mason jar for the dressing

dressing for pasta salad with fres herbs



Pin for later




this is a pin for later on how to make a no mayonnaise pasta salad



Try Some of Our Other Favorite Salads

Avocado and Black Bean Salad

Panzanella Salad

Italian Potato Salad

Butternut Squash Arugula Salad

Roasted Beet Salad

Watermelon Basil Salad

Avocado Chickpea Salad



Healthy Summer Salads



The best part about this no may summer salad is you can make it healthy or heavy with meats and cheeses.


We prefer a lighter healthy lifestyle during the warmer months and this salad can be the most versatile salad recipe in your collection.


You can our delicious light dressing, use your own bottled, pre-packed cut bagged vegetables or simply add your own ideas to this easy summer bowl of healthy goodness!


Again you can choose low carb pasta or a fun colorful shape and get as creative to make this bursting with a colorful delicious side dish or whole meal.



No Mayo Summer Pasta Salad

No Mayo Summer Pasta Salad

Yield: 10
Author: Claudia Lamascolo
Prep time: 25 MinCook time: 10 MinTotal time: 35 Min
This is a pasta salad with meat or vegetables, no mayonnaise, and super perfect for a summer picnic, lunch, or cookout.

Ingredients

  • Choose 1 pound of pasta of choice and cook to package instructions, toss in 2 teaspoons of olive oil and set aside.
  • 4 cups vegetables of choice
  • 2 cups cooked types of meat
  • See the list of vegetables and meat suggestions to use below and combine however you would like to build your salad using 4 cups of mixed vegetables and 2 cups of cooked meats and toss with dressing recipe or use your favorite bottled Italian style dressing.
  • Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or canola oil
  • 8 teaspoons white wine vinegar, balsamic, red wine, or rice
  • 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cloves finely mince garlic
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped mint, basil, and Italian flat-leaf parsley
  • Pasta Suggestions:
  • rigatoni
  • wagon wheel pasta
  • tri-colored spirals
  • bowties
  • mostaccioli
  • penne
  • seashells
  • Vegetables and Meat Suggestions
  • grilled chicken or other grilled meats to top your salad or mix in
  • cooked or grilled seafood IE shrimp skewers
  • julienned or chopped vegetables of any kind IE zucchini, carrots, broccoli slaw, cabbage slaw
  • black beans, chickpeas, cannellini beans, lupini beans, red beans
  • snap peas
  • black, green, or any kinds of olives
  • fresh orange sections
  • canned artichoke hearts or hearts of palm
  • steamed vegetables IE asparagus
  • bell peppers or hot peppers
  • raw arugula or spinach
  • smoked meats and fish IE salmon
  • broccoli florets, cauliflower florets
  • crispy bacon
  • cold cubed cheeses of any kind
  • chopped deli ham, salami, roast beef, turkey, chicken, etc
  • any leftover meats like rotisserie chicken or roasted chicken breast boneless
  • white or red washed grapes
  • toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or pecans
  • avocado cubes
  • fresh corn off the cob
  • celery, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, cubed
  • cubed mango
  • dried fruits: craisins, raisins, pineapple, or papaya
  • garnish: grated cheese Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, croutons seasoned
  • set up a pasta bar and let them add their own toppings!

Instructions

  1. For the vegetables and meats:
  2. Use grilled, air fried, or pan-fried using any cooked meats.
  3. Vegetables should all be chopped fine or julienned style.
  4. Dressing Recipe:
  5. In a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinaigrette ingredients; shake well. 
  6. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.
  7. The recipe can be adjusted to taste with herbs and spices.
  8. Note: for a little heat add cayenne pepper.
no-mayo salad, pasta summer salad, vegetable pasta salad, chicken pasta salad, seafood pasta salad, salad dressing pasta salad, pasta salad no mayonnaise
picnic food, cookout foods, summer recipes, picnic recipes, cookout side dishes, pasta recipes
American, French, Italian, Healthy
Created using The Recipes Generator


Pin for later


this salad has no mayo and a great salad recipe pin for later

Recipes To Try


Blackened Grilled Chicken Breast

Baked Chicken Kabobs

cold pasta salad Italian style in a white dish


Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2021.

35 comments

  1. Ooooh this looks good!!! Mmmmm mmmm mmmm! Save some for me!

    xoxo,
    Tammy<3

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  2. What amazing pasta dish so rich and tasty :) I like it. Bye, have a great we

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  3. Claudia,
    I know what I'm having for dinner. We were going to have shrimp and pasta, but know we'll have your yummy recipe. Like the lime on it.

    Have a great weekend!

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  4. buono questo piatto con i gamberetti. Looks pretty too. Have a nice weekend dear Claudia XX

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  5. Looks like we both need our carb fixes.
    Shimp makes a terrific protein addition to pasta. It looks great.

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  6. This sounds wonderful. I love the flavors in this dish and will have to give it a try. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  7. Mmmmm....what a delicious entree, Claudia! Beautiful, too~

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  8. Hi, your pasta with shrimps is so mouth watering. Look so good, I want mine with extra shrimps. LOL

    Have a nice weekend, regards.

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  9. Che buona la tua pasta con i broccoli e gamberetti mi ha fatto venire fameee

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  10. Hmm, those shrimp look so good. My son's girlfriend loves pasta. Will keep this in mind. :)

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  11. That looks delightful. The dressing with fresh herbs is great for summer salads.

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  12. I actually love that this doesn't have mayo. I am trying to eat a little better, but some of my favorite recipes use mayo. Very Delicious Recipe for Spring!

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  13. My hubby doesn't like mayo so I can't wait to try this pasta for him! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. Such a fun and easy side for the upcoming BBQ and grilling season! All those flavors sound absolutely incredible.

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  15. Love how customizable this salad is. Great way to use whatever you have in the fridge. YUM!

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  16. I'm team no mayo when it comes to pasta salad!

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  17. I love that you added chicken, this could easily be lunch or dinner for me. The options are endless though on what you can add to it!!

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  18. This looks so good, I can't wait to try this!

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  19. So many choices of ingredients (customisable salad is best) and I am sure some of it will definitely in my pantry and fridge :) Can't wait to try this delicious salad!

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  20. Such a delicious and versatile recipe! Will be perfect with lots of grilled meats this summer.

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  21. Pasta salad is such a great side dish for summer dinners. I love how this one doesn't use mayo!

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  22. I like pasta salad with this type of dressing and this looks like a good one

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  23. I'm all over this pasta salad. It's perfect for outdoor eating and entertaining!!

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  24. This pasta salad is so yummy! Perfect for a summer potluck!

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  25. Delicious summer salad perfect for picnic season!

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  26. This is a wonderful dish for summer - and so versatile, too! I love it!

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  27. Love that you can use any leftover bits of meat and veggies in this salad! Great alternative to mayo-based pasta salads too!

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  28. Love how simple and flavorful this pasta dish is. Making this for dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Finally a pasta salad without mayo! and it was super yummy!

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  30. My husband does not like mayo so I always avoid making pasta salad. Now I don't have to with this recipe!

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  31. I'm not a huge fan of mayo, so this was the perfect pasta salad for me. Thanks so much for sharing!

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia