Go Back
A vibrant low calorie summer pasta salad without mayo in a large bowl

Best way to grow 25 low calorie summer pasta salad no mayo

This low-calorie summer pasta salad is a refreshing and guilt-free dish, perfect for warm weather gatherings. It's packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing, making it a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional mayo-heavy pasta salads.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Dressing
  • 8 ounces short pasta
  • 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced (any color)
  • 0.5 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 0.125 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • large mixing bowl
  • small mixing bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh basil.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Assembly
  1. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, then toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
  2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving
  1. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss and adjust seasonings if necessary.
  2. Serve chilled as a light meal or a refreshing side dish.

Notes

For added protein, consider incorporating grilled chicken, chickpeas, or white beans. You can also customize the vegetables based on your preferences or what's in season, such as adding corn, spinach, or olives.