There are a few things I rarely crave, pasta being one of them and cheese being the other.
As you can guess, I’m not a very big fan of Italian food.
But chilled pasta salads are quintessential summer fare, and I’m all about welcoming June with open arms…and a vegan summer salad that is sure to please the masses.
This dish was born out of my random desire to veganize a Caprese salad, which then got tweaked along the way, and morphed into a pasta dish with a Caesar salad twist. My mind works in mysterious ways I tell ya.
Caprese Caesar Pasta Salad (vegan)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dry pasta
- 1 tomato, cubed
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup corn
- 1/2 block tofu, cubed
- 1/4 cup Follow Your Heart vegan Caesar dressing
I opted for all organic items, from the pasta (you can buy the six packs at Costco) to the tofu and Caesar dressing.
After cooking and draining the pasta, I let it cool while I chopped the veggies.
Then I added them all together in a big bowl.
Meanwhile, the tofu (which was taking the place of the buffalo mozzarella in the Caprese salad), was draining.
Once most of the liquid was pressed out, I cut it and added it into the pasta.
Then it was dressing time. Follow Your Heart makes such awesome salad dressing, even if you aren’t vegan you should start buying these.
I’m obsessed with the vegan Caesar, which is why I decided to add it into the pasta.
Douse and stir.
This dish is light and hearty at the same time. Definitely a great item to bring to a picnic or summer get together. It’s simple enough to complement almost any other food and since the flavors are mild but tasty, it will please every palate. And did I mention it’s vegan?
Either way, you don’t have to tell anyone it’s vegan and they’ll never know that they’re actually doing their heart a favor as they’re enjoying it. They may even be tricked into thinking the tofu chunks are cheese.
In addition to being super quick to prepare, you can make it ahead of time and then throw it in the fridge until it’s ready to be consumed.
Chilled or warm, it’s delicious. And the longer you wait to eat it, the more the flavors will meld together.
Enjoy!
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Delish! I love pasta dishes with tofu.
Random Q: what’s that pasta shape called?
i think its called eliche pasta (its the thin one)
That is the cutest pasta ever! I love that this dish looks like something you’d see at the typical American potluck (but it’s actually way healthier). I might make this just to trick people into eating healthy… Muahaha!
its SOOOO good. seriously, i just had it for every meal 2 days straight.
that vegan Caesar looks awesome..need to try it!
and i love caprese salad and your take on it! yum!
there’s something so light yet satisfying about a pasta salad! i often crave it once the weather perks up!
I love fresh pasta salads in the summer time!
ive never seen that pasta at costco before but now im interested!
btw this is kind of a random question and sorry if i offend, but you seem to eat a good amount of food but stay small. do you think this is because of exercise, eating mostly whole healthy foods or just your metab? thanks!
i work out almost daily but im also lucky enough to have a good metabolism. i think that eating a plant based diet does afford me some extra room to eat more generous portions though, because my body seems to maintain itself with the amount i eat and the amount i work out.
Looks delicious! I love Follow Your Heart dressings and pasta salad so I know I’d love this!
i am SOOOO obsessed with the vegan caesar dressing. so so good.
I love the idea of this salad! I am so excited to make this! Unlike you I love me some pasta! and I love me some cheese, but this is a great way to change it up. Thanks for sharing.
I have never tried pasta+tofu! I don´t know why..
It looks delish!
This reminds me of a classic pasta salad my mom always makes for BBQs in the summer! I might have to introduce her to this recipe though
LOVE!! delicious easy and colorful!
That pasta dish looks incredible, it’s such a fun shape!
mm! i wonder if this would taste good with kelp noodles instead? i recently read that they are very good for thyroid health, which is important for me since i’ve had the surgery!
xo.
Love this idea – I like caprese ANYTHING
I, too, am currently obsessed with vegan ceasar! This looks AWESOME
This looks so tasty and I bet you’re right – people could easily be fooled that tofu is the cheese. I’m going to look for that vegan Caesar! Yum!
This sounds awesome!
I love the vegan Ceaser twist! Not the normal vinegar and oil take sounds like a refreshing dish! Found you on the FaveDiets Blog Hop! If you like the hop idea swing by my site and check out Market to Menu Mondays!
Love Food, Live Life!
Wow, this looks like an unbelievable dish. I love the idea of using tofu instead of cheese, and now I have to try and find a bottle of that dressing. Thanks for sharing this recipe on my hop.
where did you buy your tofu xpress?
online here: http://www.tofuxpress.com/
or on amazon
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