What Vegetables Go in Pasta Salad? (15 Best Veggies)

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy meal, pasta salad is the way to go.

It’s easy to prepare, filling, and can be customized with your favorite vegetables.

But what vegetables should you use?

The best vegetables for pasta salad are those that are crunchy and full of flavor, such as bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, onions, broccoli and mushrooms. For a more unique twist on the classic pasta salad, try adding roasted sweet potatoes or squash. Olives and pickled artichokes also make excellent additions to any pasta salad.

With so many options out there, it can be hard to choose which ones will make your pasta salad stand out from the rest.

In this article, I’ll share my top 15 picks for the best veggies that go well in pasta salad.

From crunchy bell peppers to sweet corn kernels, these veggies are sure to give your dish an extra kick of flavor and nutrition.

15 Vegetables That Go Well in Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is a great way to enjoy the flavors of summer vegetables.

The key is finding the right combination of vegetables that will complement each other and provide a delicious flavor.

Here are fifteen vegetables that go well together in pasta salads, offering an array of colors, textures, and tastes:

1. Broccoli

Funky and fabulous is the name of this game when it comes to broccoli in pasta salad. Cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces, blanch it for a few moments in boiling water, and combine it with your favorite pasta salad ingredients. The tastes that result are out of this world!

2. Bell Peppers

This sweet and vibrant veggie brings extra energy to any pasta dish it’s added to. Chop up some bell peppers and sauté them until they’re cooked to perfection before tossing them with noodles or adding them to your favorite pasta recipe. You’ll have people asking what’s in your secret sauce!

3. Olives

Bitter, tangy olives provide a salty punch that contrasts nicely against creamy dressings but also adds depth of flavor to practically any recipe you add it to – including pasta salads! Simply buy pre-sliced olives from the store or purchase whole ones then cut them into tiny slices yourself; either way will do the trick!

4. Cucumber

This crunchy green vegetable is the perfect addition to your pasta salad, giving it a refreshing touch. Prepare it by slicing it up into thin discs and letting them soak in salt water for 30 minutes- this helps draw out some of their bitter flavor too!

5. Carrots

An oldie but goodie, carrots are sweet and crunchy – the best of both worlds! Preparing them couldn’t be easier; just grate them or cut them into matchstick pieces.

6. Red Onion

Red onion gives a delicious pop of color to your pasta salad –it’s like adding sunshine on top of beautiful noodles and vegetables! To reduce its bite, slice thinly then soak in cold water for an hour-this will mellow out its spicy edge without sacrificing flavor.

7. Tomatoes

Adding ripe and juicy tomatoes to a pasta salad is an absolute must! The combination of sweet and acidic flavors makes for the perfect bite. Plus, it’s very easy to prepare – just slice them into wedges or cubes, depending on your preference.

8. Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes bring sweetness and texture to your pasta salad game and make it stand out in the crowd. All you need to do is chop them up into small pieces, toss them with olive oil and sea salt, then roast them in a preheated oven until golden brown perfection is reached!

9. Roasted Squash

Adding roasted squash brings heartiness to your pasta salad while also offering nutty notes that blend nicely with the other flavor components within the dish. To prepare them for ease of use all you have to do is cube or cut them into slices then season them with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and some dried herbs for added flavor then roast away!

10. Cauliflower

Crisp, healthy, and delicious – cauliflower is the picky eater’s favorite vegetable when it comes to pasta salad. Cut it into florets and roast them in some olive oil for a golden hue and garlicky flavor that will have your taste buds singing praises.

11. Chickpeas

These nutty little nuggets of goodness are like a party on your plate! Give them an extra pop of flavor by pan-frying them in some butter, garlic and lemon juice before adding them to your pasta salad.

12. Artichoke Hearts

An incredibly flavorful addition to any salad, artichoke hearts takes your pasta dish from basic to gourmet elegance with their crispy texture and slightly sour bite. Frozen (already cooked) hearts make life easier – just rinse off the brine before tossing it into your salad!

13. Corn Kernels

Ah, corn – the sweeter-than-sweet veggie that’s like a ray of sunshine on your tongue. For a pasta salad, cut up two ears of fresh corn and add them to a bowl full of cooked macaroni noodles. A sprinkle of salt and pepper gives it an extra-satisfying crunch!

14. Mushrooms

A hearty vegetable that adds umami flavor to any dish, mushrooms take pasta salads over the top with their earthy warmth. Slice up half a pound for 4 servings, sauté them in some garlic butter until golden brown, then mix them into your pasta salad – you won’t regret it!

15. Avocado

The king (or queen) of all veggies, avocado will make your pasta salad stand out from the crowd. Mash it up first so that its creamy goodness disperses evenly throughout each bite – trust me when I say this one is worth trying at least once!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, pasta salad is a great way to enjoy a variety of vegetables in one delicious dish.

From broccoli to tomatoes to avocados, there are plenty of vegetables that can be added to pasta salad to make it even more flavorful and nutritious.

The best vegetables to add to pasta salad are broccoli, bell peppers, olives, cucumber, carrots, red onion, tomatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted squash, feta cheese, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, corn kernels, mushrooms, and avocado.

Combining these vegetables with pasta and a flavorful dressing can create a delicious and healthy dish that everyone will love.