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.
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!
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!
Pasta Suggestions
- rigatoni
- wagon wheel pasta
- tri-colored spirals
- bowties
- mostaccioli
- penne
- seashells
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
Tools
- pot for boiling pasta
- pasta bowl
- colander
- spoon
- measuring cups
- knife
- cutting board
- measuring spoons
- mason jar for the dressing
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Try Some of Our Other Favorite Salads
Avocado and Black Bean SaladPanzanella 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
Yield: 10
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
- For the vegetables and meats:
- Use grilled, air fried, or pan-fried using any cooked meats.
- Vegetables should all be chopped fine or julienned style.
- Dressing Recipe:
- In a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinaigrette ingredients; shake well.
- Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.
- The recipe can be adjusted to taste with herbs and spices.
- Note: for a little heat add cayenne pepper.
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Recipes To Try
Blackened Grilled Chicken Breast
Baked Chicken Kabobs
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2012. It was edited and re-published in 2021.