This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes!

This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes! | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #pastasalad #summersalad

If you are looking for a pasta salad that can be served as a side or an entree AND is totally flavor-packed, then look no further. The cauliflower is seasoned and baked to perfection, then served over a bed of pasta, sun-dried tomatoes & arugula. THEN, everything is tossed together with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado and toasted walnuts. This is seriously a flavor explosion!!!

How to make Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad

Start off by tossing the cauliflower is some seasonings and olive oil. Spread it out on a baking sheet and cook for 20-25 minutes.

While the cauliflower is cooking, prep the dressing (this stuff is seriously good) and cook the pasta. Once the pasta is done, drain it, rinse it and place the empty pot back on the stove. Add some oil from a sun-dried tomato jar (hello flavor town) to the pot with some chopped walnuts. Toast the walnuts over medium heat for a few minutes then set aside.

This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes! | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #pastasalad #summersalad

How to assemble Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad

Now that everything is ready, it is time to assemble. Grab your largest bowl and add the cooked pasta, arugula, basil and sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle the dressing over top and give it a good toss. Top the pasta with the crispy cauliflower, avocado slices and the toasted walnuts. This salad is not only pretty, it is so freaking good!

I personally like to eat this pasta salad at room temperature, but you could also eat it cold.

This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes! | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #pastasalad #summersalad
This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes! | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #pastasalad #summersalad

Need more recipe inspo? Check these out:

This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes! | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #pastasalad #summersalad

Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad

Servings: 4 large salads
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes!
5 from 14 ratings

Ingredients

FOR THE CAULIFLOWER

FOR THE LEMON VINAIGRETTE

FOR THE WALNUTS

  • 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil or sub olive oil
  • 1/3 cup unsalted walnuts roughly chopped
  • salt to taste

FOR THE SALAD

  • 8 oz bow tie pasta dry
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil drained & chopped
  • 2 tbsp basil chopped
  • 1 avocado diced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the cauliflower ingredients to the baking sheet and toss to coat evenly. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, flip and cook for another 10-15 minutes – or until crispy.
  • Meanwhile, add the dressing ingredients to a bowl and mix to combine. Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Place the empty pot back on the stove and heat the sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. Add the walnuts and a pinch of salt and cook until toasted (approx. 3-5 minutes). Remove from the pot and set aside.
  • To assemble, add the pasta, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and basil to a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Top with the cauliflower, walnuts and avocado slices.

Video

Notes

I like to serve this right away, with the pasta at room temperature and the cauliflower warm. But this can also be served chilled.
Calories: 617kcal, Carbohydrates: 63g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 38g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g, Monounsaturated Fat: 22g, Sodium: 104mg, Potassium: 832mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 8g, Iron: 3mg
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below or take a photo and share it on Instagram @thissavoryvegan with #thissavoryvegan.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase I will receive a small percentage of the sale. Please know I would never link a product unless I have personally used it and loved it!

If you make this recipe be sure to snap a photo + post it + and tag #thissavoryvegan and @thissavoryvegan!

This Crispy Cauliflower Pasta Salad is served with a lemon & shallot vinaigrette, avocado slices, toasted walnuts, arugula & sun-dried tomatoes! | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #pastasalad #summersalad