• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipes
  • eBooks
  • Spring
  • FREE EBOOK

Create Mindfully

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • eBooks
  • Spring
  • FREE EBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • eBooks
    • Spring
    • FREE EBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pasta and Noodles

    Modified: Sep 5, 2022 · Published: Sep 1, 2018 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Vegan Macaroni Salad

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    This easy classic Vegan Macaroni Salad is perfect for potlucks and parties because it can be served at room temperature. 

    Vegan Macaroni Salad in two bowls with forks.

    💌 SAVE THIS

    I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    This Vegan Macaroni Salad came about because I had a major craving for it. It came out of nowhere and for no reason,  and I knew I just had to make it.

    I am so glad that I did. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying.

    Macaroni salad is the quintessential Summer salad. I don't even remember the last time that I had macaroni salad. It's probably been 10 years or more.

    So before Summer is over, do yourself a favor and make this Vegan Macaroni Salad. You'll be glad you did.

    It's perfect for a picnic, potluck, BBQ, or party. It can be served at room temperature, which is a host's dream come true. Eat it for lunch or as a vegan side dish for dinner.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • Other Vegan Pasta Salads
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It has a balance of flavors.
    • It is perfect for a potluck or party because it can be served at room temperature.
    • It's a great side dish for summer.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Vegan Macaroni Salad ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Vegan mayonnaise: Adds a rich creamy flavor. You could use vegan sour cream or vegan yogurt, but it won't be as rich tasting as vegan mayo.
    • Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy flavor. You could use red wine vinegar or rice vinegar.
    • Sugar: Adds sweetness. You could also use maple syrup or agave syrup.
    • Dijon mustard: I like Dijon mustard, but you could also use yellow mustard or even a small amount of mustard powder.
    • Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.
    • Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet crunchy flavor. You could also use a green bell pepper.
    • Celery: Adds crunch. It's a classic ingredient in macaroni salad.
    • Red onion: Adds a pungent flavor. You could also use green onion.
    • Elbow macaroni noodles: Hence the name of the pasta salad. I used brown rice gluten-free pasta. You could use chickpea elbow noodles or your favorite pasta. I used chickpea pasta when I updated the ingredient and process shots. Both taste great.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    📖 Variations / Additions

    Customize this to your liking!

    • Sweet pickles or dill pickles
    • Sweet pickle relish or dill pickle relish
    • Parsley
    • Carrots
    • Paprika
    • Dill

    5 Secrets to Vegan Cooking

    Spicy Tofu Bánh Mì on a cutting board.

    Free 5 Part Email Series to Elevate Your Vegan Cooking

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    🔪 Instructions

    Dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

    Step 1: Add dressing ingredients to a large mixing bowl.

    Mixed dressing ingredients in a bowl with spoon.

    Step 2: Mix until smooth and creamy.

    Noodles in a saucepan with boiling water.

    Step 3: Cook pasta according to the directions. Make sure to salt the water. I like to add a splash of olive oil when I cook brown rice pasta. Drain water.

    Noodles and the rest of ingredients added to the mixing bowl with dressing.

    Step 4: Add cooked pasta and chopped veggies to the dressing.

    Vegan Macaroni Salad in a large bowl.

    Step 5: Toss to coat.

    💭 Tips

    • Taste as you go. Taste the dressing, taste the salad ingredients, and taste the final product. You may want more or less sugar, red onion, etc.
    • Salt your pasta water! I've noticed that most pasta products fail to mention this on their directions for cooking the pasta, but it's very important. Pasta soaks up the salt as it cooks. It's important to season at every step in cooking.
    • I also add a splash of olive oil to my pasta, because brown rice pasta loves to stick together. That's purely optional, but I find that it helps.
    Vegan Macaroni Salad in two bowls.

    Other Vegan Pasta Salads

    • Vegan Pasta Salad
      Vegan Gluten Free Pasta Salad
    • Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
      Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
    • Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Chickpeas in a wood bowl.
      Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Chickpeas

    If you tried this Vegan Macaroni Salad Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    Before Summer ends, make some vegan pasta salad for that last picnic or potluck!

    📋 Recipe

    Vegan Macaroni Salad in two bowls.
    Pin Print Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    5 from 3 votes

    Vegan Macaroni Salad

    This easy classic Vegan Macaroni Salad is perfect for potlucks and parties because it can be served at room temperature. 
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 25 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 399kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces dry brown rice elbow noodles (2 cups)
    • ½ cup vegan mayo
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • Salt and pepper
    • 3 stalks celery, finely chopped (½ cup)
    • 1 small red pepper, chopped (1 cup)
    • ¼ cup chopped red onion
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Make pasta according to directions. Make sure to add a large pinch of salt when water is boiling. Optional: add a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
    • Mix dressing ingredients. Add cooked pasta and chopped vegetables. Add more salt and pepper as needed.

    Notes

    This macaroni salad will last 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
    *If you are using gluten free noodles and have leftovers you can heat the salad in the microwave to soften the noodles up.

    💌 SAVE THIS

    I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 715IU | Vitamin C: 25.3mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Pasta

    • Vegan Eggplant Lasagna on a plate with baking dish in the background.
      Vegan Eggplant Lasagna
    • Vegan Lentil Skillet Lasagna in a large skillet.
      Vegan Lentil Skillet Lasagna
    • Tofu Peanut Noodles in. a bowl. with chopsticks.
      Tofu Peanut Noodles
    • Vegan Pesto Shirataki Noodles
      Vegan Pesto Shirataki Noodles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Willow Moon with green shirt and tie dye scarf.

    Namaste, I'm Willow!

    I've been vegan for 25 years and
    gluten-free for 13 years. I share easy and delicious vegan gluten-free recipes the whole family will love! Read more →

    Spring Recipes

    • Broccoli Fritters on a plate.
      Broccoli Fritters

    • Benedictine Tea Sandwiches on a plate.
      Benedictine Tea Sandwiches

    • Green Detox Juice
      Green Detox Juice

    • Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta (vegan, gluten free) - This rich vegan gluten free pasta is perfect for date night. It has only a few ingredients, but tastes like it came from a restaurant.
      Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta

    Popular Recipes

    • Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites
      Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites (Vegan)

    • Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich on a plate.
      Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich

    • Vegetable Fritter being dipped into vegan chipotle ranch dressing.
      The Most Amazing Vegetable Fritters

    • Homemade Payday Bars on parchment paper.
      Homemade Payday Bars

    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia pudding in a bowl.
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

    • Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats
      Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for my newsletter and get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7 Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Tip Jar

    Featured In:

    A list of magazines that Create Mindfully has been featured in like Good Housekeeping, Dr. Axe, Peta, and more.

    Copyright © 2014 - 2025
    Create Mindfully - All Rights Reserved.

    Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willow Moon and Create Mindfully with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All photos and artwork are property of Willow Moon and Create Mindfully. Do not duplicate or copy without proper consent.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe, I loved it!
    This worked exactly as written, thanks!

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.