Description
Avocado and Tomato Pasta Salad combines creamy avocado, vibrant cherry tomatoes, tender pasta, and plant-based cheese in a zesty lemon and apple cider vinegar dressing. This fresh, colorful, and wholesome salad is perfect for a quick lunch, healthy side, or vibrant addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 2 cups short pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 ripe avocado, cubed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
Plant-Based Cheese and Dressing
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese (crumbled or cubed)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Fresh Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, tear or chop the basil leaves, cube the plant-based cheese, and carefully cube the avocado after removing the pit.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and emulsified.
- Toss Everything Together: Place the cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl. Add tomatoes, avocado, red onion, basil, and plant-based cheese. Drizzle with dressing and gently toss to coat, avoiding mashing the avocado.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use ripe but firm avocados to keep chunks intact.
- Cook pasta al dente for best texture.
- Add lemon juice immediately after cutting avocado to prevent browning.
- Toss salad gently to maintain ingredient integrity.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste during chilling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: avocado pasta salad, tomato pasta salad, plant-based cheese salad, vegan pasta salad, quick lunch salad, healthy side dish
