Vegan Creamy Macaroni Salad

PREP TIME 15 mins
COOK TIME 10 mins
TOTAL TIME 25 mins
SERVINGS 6
CALORIES 304 kcal
INGREDIENTS:

Pasta Salad:

  • 10 oz (280 g) dry pasta of choice (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 green pepper (or color of choice) chopped
  • 1 medium-sized onion diced
  • 4 tomatoes diced
  • 1 small cucumber diced
  • 3/4 cup chopped dill pickles
  • olives (optional)

Oil-Free Dressing:

    • One 15 oz can white beans rinsed and drained (*see notes)
    • 2/3 cup (160 ml) plant-based milk
    • 1/4 cup (40 g) hulled hemp seeds OR 1/3 cup of soaked cashews (*see notes)
    • 2-4 garlic cloves
    • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard or more to taste
    • 1 tbsp lime juice or lemon juice
    • 1 tbsp white vinegar or apple cider vinegar or more to taste
    • 1/2 tsp sea salt + more to taste
    • black pepper to taste
    • fresh dill to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

    • Cook your favorite pasta as per the instructions on the package.
    • Add white beans, plant-based milk, hemp seeds (or soaked cashews), garlic cloves, mustard, lime juice, vinegar, and sea salt + black pepper to a blender. Blend on high speed and scrape down the sides if needed until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped pepper, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, and dill pickles. Pour over the dressing and stir to combine.
    • Taste and adjust seasonings. Add more salt/pepper/vinegar if needed. I added 1/2 tsp of sea salt in addition.
  • Garnish with fresh herbs (e.g. dill) and serve at room temperature or cold. Enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.

NOTES

  • You can use any white beans, e.g. Cannellini beans, Navy beans or Great Northern beans.
  • If you don’t have hemp seeds you can use either soaked cashews (soak in hot water for about 30 minutes or until soft) OR you could use 2 heaped tbsp of cashew butter or almond butter.
  • If you love salads, you can also check out Ela Vegan’s Mexican Avocado Salad recipe.
  • Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving.

Credit: Ela Vegan

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