The Best Vegan Healthy Macaroni Salad

This vegan healthy macaroni salad is the perfect dish for a healthy lunch or easy meal prep, or for your summer potlucks and picnics!

Summer is here, and that means it’s time for outdoor picnics, potlucks, and BBQs. And what better way to enjoy the warm weather than with a delicious pasta salad? Packed with a variety of nutritious ingredients and a creamy tahini dressing (aka no mayo in sight!), this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next summer gathering. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for meal prep, so you can enjoy it all week long.

What makes a great healthy macaroni salad?

A great macaroni salad should have a balance of flavors and textures. It should be creamy, but not too heavy, and have a variety of vegetables for crunch and nutrition. The dressing should be flavorful and complement the other ingredients without overpowering them. In my opinion, a great pasta salad should also have some protein in it to give it some staying power. And of course, a great macaroni salad should be easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

In my personal opinion, the perfect pasta-salad isn’t made with mayo in the dressing. As a mayo-lover, you’d think I’d have no problem using it as the base of the dressing in this salad, but something about a mayo-based pasta salad dressing has never sat well with me. Instead, I used tahini in this dressing to add a similar creamy texture, without having to use mayonnaise.

How to Make This Vegan Healthy Macaroni Salad

This vegan macaroni salad is the perfect dish for a healthy lunch or easy meal prep. It’s also a great option for potlucks or picnics.

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni along with the other salad ingredients.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the dressing.
4. Pour the dressing over the macaroni salad and stir until everything is well coated.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Health Benefits of This Pasta Salad

This vegan macaroni salad is not only delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients. The macaroni provides carbohydrates for energy, while the hearts of palm, celery, bell pepper, red onion, and olives add fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The white beans, lentils, or edamame provide protein and more fiber. The tahini dressing is a great source of healthy fats, while the lemon juice adds vitamin C. Nutritional yeast is a vegan source of vitamin B12 and adds a cheesy flavor to the dressing.

To add even more fiber and staying-power to this salad, choose a whole wheat pasta!

Ingredient Substitutions for Salad:

Hearts of palm: Artichoke hearts or cucumber slices can be used as a substitute.

Red onion: Shallots or green onions can be used for a milder flavor.

White beans: Chickpeas, lentils, black beans, or kidney beans can be used instead.

Macaroni: Any type of pasta will work!

Ingredient Substitutions for Dressing:

Lemon: Apple cider vinegar or other vinegar can be used instead.

Garlic: Garlic powder can be used as an alternative.

Pickle juice: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.

Sugar: Honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar can also be used!

What to Pair with This Vegan Healthy Macaroni Salad

This vegan macaroni salad pairs well with a variety of dishes.

Here are some ideas:

• Grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers
• Baked tofu or tempeh
• Chickpea or lentil burgers
• Roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash
• Fresh fruit, such as watermelon or berries

Overall, this vegan macaroni salad is a delicious and healthy option for any meal.

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The dressing may thicken as it sits, so you may need to add a bit more pickle juice or lemon juice to thin it out before serving.

Connect with Lauren!

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a review in the comments below. You can also find 60 other delicious, easy plant-based recipes in my cookbook, The Simple Vegan Kitchen!

Also, be sure to take a photo and tag me at @tastingtothrive_rd so I can re-share on my stories! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest so you never miss a new recipe or blog post.