You don’t need a long list of ingredients or much prep time to make this Vegan Pasta Salad work—it’s simple, fuss-free, and satisfying. Roasted veggies bring depth, the bow-tie pasta keeps it hearty, and the lemon-garlic dressing ties it all together. It’s a solid choice for anything from weeknight dinners to casual potlucks, especially since it can be made ahead and stored for a couple of days. Just stir before serving, and it’s good as new.
Roast in the oven for 15–20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and slightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Cook the bow-tie pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse pasta with cold water. Add to a large bowl along with the cooled roasted vegetables.
12 ounces bow-tie pasta
Mix all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Toss with the pasta and vegetables.
¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons water, 1 lemon juice, 2 garlic cloves, 1 pinch salt and pepper, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to cool.
Notes
Mix It Up: Swap in whatever veggies you have on hand—bell peppers, red onion, or roasted broccoli all work well.
Chop Evenly: Cut the veggies into similar-sized pieces so they roast evenly and don’t burn or undercook.
Cook Until Al Dente: Cook the bow-tie pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t turn mushy when mixed with the dressing and vegetables.
Boost the Flavor: If you enjoy a bit of heat, feel free to bump up the crushed red pepper flakes.
Cool Before Mixing: Let your roasted vegetables cool down completely before adding them to the pasta—this keeps the salad from turning steamy and wet.
Make It Ahead: This salad actually gets better after it sits, so go ahead and chill it for 30 minutes before serving if you have the time.
Freshen It Up: If the salad’s been chilling for a while, give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.