Asparagus Pasta Salad with Avocado Dressing

Asparagus pasta salad with avocado dressing is the perfect picnic pasta salad. This fresh, flavorful mix of veggies and curly pasta take a tumble in a bright lemon avocado dressing.

recipe originally published July 3, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS - Jump to any section:

1. 1. Why everyone loves this pasta salad
   2. Mayo free pasta salad
   3. Lemon avocado sauce
   4. How to roast asparagus
   5. More picnic recipes
   6. How long does pasta salad last?
   7. Jump to recipe: Asparagus Pasta Salad with Avocado Dressing

Why everyone loves this pasta salad

Everyone loves pasta salad, and this asparagus pasta salad with avocado dressing will be your spring and summer go to. This recipe uses the best of summer crops: fresh corn from the cob, roasted asparagus, and juicy garden tomatoes.

Another thing to love about this salad is that it can be made year round. Canned or frozen corn works, and a bold flavored sun dried tomato takes the place of those from your garden. Store bought cherry tomatoes work too. 

Mayo free picnic pasta salad

Picnic or potluck, this asparagus pasta salad is the perfect dish to bring!

Since going vegan, mayonnaise does not wig me out as it used to. It’s simply an oil-based condiment now, rather than something made with eggs – another item I didn’t want to eat.

The mayo we use is plant based, and I still don't always want to bring it to an outdoor BBQ situation, or even a potluck style party. Much like our mango edamame quinoa salad and our cauliflower cashew confetti salad, this perfect picnic pasta salad is light and fresh and mayo free!

Also great meal prep dish, asparagus pasta salad is on repeat all summer long. I make a batch and we enjoy it through the week.

Or I will make a double batch when I am bringing it to a potluck. That way, we have more waiting for us at home, since this is a recipe that yields an empty bowl at the end of the potluck.

Lemon avocado sauce variations

Like a savory version of this Es Pokat avocado drink, this easy avocado sauce is incredibly versatile! My favorite way to use it is with recipes like this - a cold pasta salad.

Add hot sauce for a spicy avocado sauce, or your favorite fresh herbs. Adding roasted garlic cloves is one of my favorite ways to add great flavor to this healthy sauce.

Avocado sauce is not only versatile in the flavor variations, but also the foods you enjoy it with.

• a warm pasta topping
• vegetable dip
• dressing for mixed greens salad
• sandwich or wrap spread
• quinoa or grain salad

How to roast asparagus

Every time I make this pasta salad, I think I need to use double the amount of asparagus. There is never enough for me. So go ahead and take that as a cue to use two bunches...

Roast asparagus is an integral part of this recipe, it is also one a favorite on its own. A super flavorful side dish that is also so very simple.

Once you clean, trim, and snap those asparagus spears, you just drizzle with a bit of olive oil (or fresh lemon if you are oil free), salt and pepper. Remove from the oven and turn once halfway through the cooking, and you have a delicious dish that most everyone loves.

I could eat an entire pan standing at the stovetop.

More picnic recipes

• Lemon Piccata Potato Salad
• Mango Quinoa Salad
• Spicy Vegan Chorizo Queso
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Easy Gluten Free Vegan BBQ Sauce
• Retro Jello Salad
• Hawaiian Mac Salad
• Vegan Goat Cheese Bacon Wrapped Dates
• Best Vegan Mushroom Burgers
• Herb Cheese Peppadew Peppers
• Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Vegan Cranberry Chicken Salad
• Spicy Chipotle Kabocha Dip

How long does pasta salad last?

My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy this recipe within three days.

Refrigerate in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid. 

Did you make this asparagus pasta salad? 

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Yield: 12 cups

Asparagus Pasta Salad with Avocado Dressing

Print

The perfect picnic pasta salad. This fresh, flavorful mix of veggies and curly pasta take a tumble in a bright lemon avocado dressing.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Avocado Dressing

• ½ ripe avocado
• juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

pasta salad

• 3 fresh roasted corn on cob (or 8 ounces frozen / canned)
• 1 bunch fresh asparagus
• ½ pint fresh cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 3 teaspoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 pound gluten free pasta (fusilli or another curly noodle)
• 3 ounces dehydrated sun dried tomatoes, chopped (or jarred in oil)

Instructions

Make avocado dressing

1. Peel and pit the ½ avocado.
2. Place avocado in blender with lemon juice, zest, water, oregano and salt.
3. Blend until smooth, adding more water as needed.

Prep and roast asparagus + corn

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F.
2. Remove all husks and silk from corn. Drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil and wrap each cob in foil.
3. If using frozen corn or canned, skip the previous step. Defrost / drain frozen or canned corn and set aside.
4. Run asparagus stalks under cold water to rinse clean. Trim rough ends with a knife, or snap them where they naturally break by bending with your hands. Trim any rough points.
5. Pile trimmed asparagus on baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and toss to coat. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on baking sheet, sprinkle with sea salt.
6. Add both asparagus and corn to preheated 400 °F oven.
7. Roast asparagus for 10 minutes. Remove after 10 minutes and using tongs, carefully flip asparagus. Return to oven and roast for another 10-12 minutes.
8. Leave corn in oven to continue roasting for another 8-10 minutes. Foil wrapped corn generally cooks in 30 minutes in a 400 °F oven.

Make pasta salad

1. Meanwhile, boil pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta cooks, slice fresh tomatoes and chop sun dried tomatoes. If using dehydrated tomatoes, place them in warm water to rehydrate. Set aside. Drain before adding to pasta.
3. Once corn is cool enough to handle, carefully slice corn from cob.
4. Once pasta is cooked, drain and return to pot.
5. Add avocado sauce, corn, asparagus, fresh and sun dried tomatoes. Toss to coat.
6. Transfer to serving bowl if serving right away, or set aside to cool completely before storing in refrigerator.

Notes

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan recipe

Lemon avocado sauce variations

Like a savory version of this Es Pokat avocado drink, this easy avocado sauce is incredibly versatile! My favorite way to use it is with recipes like this - a cold pasta salad.

Add hot sauce for a spicy avocado sauce, or your favorite fresh herbs. Adding roasted garlic cloves is one of my favorite ways to add great flavor to this healthy sauce.

Use sesame oil in place of the lemon for a totally different flavor.

Avocado sauce is not only versatile in the flavor variations, but also the foods you enjoy it with:

• a warm pasta topping
• vegetable dip
• dressing for mixed greens salad
• sandwich or wrap spread
• quinoa or grain salad

How long does pasta salad last?

My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy this recipe within three days.

Refrigerate in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid. 

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 
  DeLallo Gluten Free Pasta, Fusilli, 12 Ounce
• 
  Trader Joe's California Sun-Dried Tomatoes, 3 oz - 2 Pack
• 
  Toasted Sesame Oil
• 
  Vitamix, Low-Profile
• 
  Glass Mixing Bowl Set
• 
  Chef Knife
• 
  Cutting Board
• 
  Glass Food Prep Container Set

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 236Total Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 177mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 5gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.