Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad

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This easy gluten free Italian pasta salad is loaded with juicy tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, and a bold homemade Italian dressing. It is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, meal prep, or an easy side dish for busy weeknights.

Unlike pasta salads made with bottled dressing, this recipe uses a simple homemade vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and crushed red pepper. The gluten free rotini soaks up all that flavor while it chills, making every bite delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Gluten Free Pasta Salad

• Easy to prepare in about 20 minutes
• Perfect for making ahead
• Uses simple pantry ingredients
• Delicious served cold
• Great for parties, picnics, and cookouts
• Easy to customize with your favorite vegetables and proteins
• Full of classic Italian flavors

The Best Gluten Free Pasta for Pasta Salad

I used Barilla Gluten Free Rotini because the spiral shape holds onto the homemade Italian dressing, herbs, Parmesan, and garlic. Rotini also works especially well in cold pasta salads because the noodles remain easy to scoop and serve.

You can use another gluten free pasta shape, including penne, bow ties, elbows, or fusilli. For the best results, select a pasta made with a blend of corn and rice or another variety that holds its shape after cooling.

Be careful not to overcook gluten free pasta. Cook it only until al dente, then immediately drain and rinse it with cold water. The cold water stops the cooking process and helps prevent the noodles from becoming sticky or mushy.

Ingredients

For the Pasta Salad

• 6 ounces gluten free pasta, such as Barilla Gluten Free Rotini
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced into thirds

For the Homemade Italian Dressing

• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or the juice of about half a lemon
• ½ tablespoon minced garlic, about 1 to 2 cloves
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

How to Make Gluten Free Italian Pasta Salad

1. Cook the Pasta

Cook the gluten free pasta according to the package directions. Be careful not to overcook it.

Drain the pasta in a colander and immediately rinse it under cold water. Allow it to drain thoroughly before transferring it to a large mixing bowl.

2. Prepare the Italian Dressing

While the pasta cooks, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, basil, sea salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.

Whisk until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

3. Dress the Pasta

Pour the homemade Italian dressing over the cooked and cooled pasta. Stir gently until all the noodles are evenly coated.

4. Add the Tomatoes and Cheese

Add the sliced grape tomatoes. Gently stir again to distribute the ingredients throughout the pasta salad.

5. Chill Before Serving

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the pasta salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Chilling gives the pasta time to absorb the dressing and allows the Italian flavors to develop.

Tips for the Best Gluten Free Pasta Salad

Don’t overcook the pasta

Gluten free noodles can quickly become soft or begin to break apart. Cook the pasta just until al dente so it maintains its texture after being dressed and chilled.

Rinse the pasta with cold water

Rinsing is helpful for cold pasta salad because it stops the cooking process and removes some of the starch that can make the noodles stick together.

Drain the pasta thoroughly

Excess water can dilute the Italian dressing. Let the rinsed pasta drain well before adding it to the mixing bowl.

Let it chill

The pasta salad tastes even better after it has chilled for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, prepare it a few hours before serving.

Stir before serving

Some of the dressing may settle at the bottom of the container. Give the salad a good stir before serving so every noodle is coated.

Is Red Wine Vinegar Gluten Free?

Pure red wine vinegar is naturally gluten free. However, people who are highly sensitive to gluten should always check the product label and verify that it was not produced with gluten-containing additives or exposed to cross-contact during manufacturing.

White wine vinegar may be used in place of red wine vinegar if that is what you have available.

Optional Add-Ins

This simple Italian pasta salad is easy to customize. Try adding:

• Diced cucumber
• Sliced black olives
• Chopped bell peppers
• Pepperoncini
• Diced red onion
• Fresh basil
• Chopped spinach
• Gluten free salami or pepperoni
• Grilled chicken
• Chickpeas
• Artichoke hearts
• Small fresh mozzarella pearls

If you add several extra ingredients, you may need to prepare additional dressing.

What to Serve With Italian Pasta Salad

Serve this gluten free pasta salad with:

• Grilled chicken
• Burgers with gluten free buns
• Steak and chicken kabobs
• Baked or grilled fish
• Gluten free sandwiches
• Barbecue chicken
• Italian sausage
• Turkey meatloaf muffins
• Fresh fruit

It is also a great addition to a summer picnic, pool party, potluck, or holiday cookout.

Can You Make Gluten Free Pasta Salad Ahead of Time?

Yes! This recipe is ideal for making ahead because the flavor improves as it chills.

Prepare the pasta salad several hours before serving and store it in the refrigerator. Stir it well before serving. If the pasta has absorbed too much of the dressing, add a small drizzle of olive oil or a splash of red wine vinegar to freshen it up.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover gluten free Italian pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

This pasta salad should not be frozen. Freezing can change the texture of the gluten free noodles and tomatoes.