A colourful, hearty, and scrumptious facet dish or gentle lunch possibility
For those who want a contemporary, filling facet dish that works for every part from meal prep lunches to summer season cookouts, this cannellini bean pasta salad is one in every of my go-to recipes. It’s filled with colourful veggies, tender pasta, protein-rich white beans, and tossed in a easy do-it-yourself balsamic dressing that brings every part collectively. I really like that this white bean pasta salad feels hearty sufficient to maintain you full however nonetheless gentle sufficient for warm-weather meals.
That is a kind of simple pasta salad recipes I make on repeat as a result of it really works for therefore many events—BBQs, potlucks, weekday lunches, and even fast dinners when paired with a protein.
Causes to Love Cannellini Bean Pasta Salad

There are a number of causes I hold coming again to this cannellini bean pasta salad recipe.
First, it’s filled with contemporary elements. Between the tomatoes, asparagus, spinach, peas, and roasted peppers, each chunk feels vivid and flavorful.
Second, the cannellini beans make this a extra satisfying protein pasta salad. They add further fiber and plant-based protein, which helps make this extra filling than your common pasta salad.

I additionally love how versatile it’s. It really works as a wholesome facet dish recipe, a meal prep lunch, or a easy addition to summer season gatherings.
And let’s be trustworthy—chilly pasta salad recipes are simply so handy. You can also make this forward of time and hold it chilled till you’re able to serve.
Substances Wanted for This Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad
- 16 ounces whole-grain pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle all work nice)
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small shallot, finely diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup roasted peppers, julienned
- 8 ounces contemporary asparagus, trimmed and minimize into 1-inch items
- 8 ounces contemporary child spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Dressing
- 1/4 cup further virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup chopped basil
This mix provides you a contemporary Mediterranean pasta salad vibe with numerous greens and easy elements.
Make Cannellini Bean Pasta Salad

Begin by making ready your pasta in line with bundle instructions. Drain it, rinse with chilly water, and set it apart.
In a big skillet over medium warmth, add olive oil, shallot, tomatoes, roasted peppers, asparagus, spinach, and frozen peas. Sauté till every part is barely softened and aromatic, then take away from warmth.
Switch the vegetable combination to a big mixing bowl. Stir within the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, then add the cooked pasta.
In a small bowl, whisk collectively the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and chopped basil till the dressing types an emulsion.
Pour the dressing over the pasta combination and toss flippantly till every part is coated.
Serve instantly or chill till able to eat. I personally suppose this chilly pasta salad recipe tastes even higher after it sits within the fridge for a bit.
Optionally available Swaps and Add-Ins
One in every of my favourite issues about this bean pasta salad recipe is how simple it’s to customise.
You’ll be able to swap:
- Chickpeas for cannellini beans
- Arugula for spinach
- Inexperienced beans as a substitute of asparagus
- Crimson onion as a substitute of shallots
- Feta cheese for further taste
You can too add:
- Grilled rooster
- Salami
- Mozzarella pearls
- Olives
- Artichoke hearts
- Cucumbers
- Solar-dried tomatoes
It’s a kind of make forward pasta salads that works with no matter elements you have already got.
Methods to Serve This Simple Pasta Salad

This cannellini bean pasta salad is extremely versatile with regards to serving. I really like bringing it to summer season BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and household gatherings as a result of it travels effectively and will be made forward. It pairs completely with grilled rooster, burgers, salmon, steak, sandwiches, or different barbecue favorites. It additionally works nice as a easy lunch by itself while you desire a fast wholesome lunch salad prepared within the fridge. Strive it with:
FAQ

Can I make cannellini bean pasta salad forward of time?
Sure! That is really one in every of my favourite make forward pasta salads as a result of it tastes even higher after it chills for a number of hours. The dressing has extra time to soak into the pasta and greens, making the flavors even higher.
How lengthy does cannellini bean pasta salad final within the fridge?
Saved in an hermetic container, this cannellini bean pasta salad will keep contemporary for about 3–4 days within the fridge. Give it a fast toss earlier than serving if the dressing settles.
Can I exploit a unique sort of bean?
Completely. Whereas cannellini beans work completely for this white bean pasta salad, chickpeas, nice northern beans, and even black beans can work if that’s what you may have readily available.
Can I serve this pasta salad heat?
You’ll be able to, however I personally suppose this chilly pasta salad recipe tastes finest chilled. It makes it further refreshing for heat climate meals and summer season gatherings.
What sort of pasta works finest?
Complete-grain penne, fusilli, or farfalle all work effectively as a result of they maintain the dressing properly. Actually, any quick pasta works for this simple pasta salad recipe.
Can I add protein to make it a full meal?
Undoubtedly. Grilled rooster, shrimp, salmon, and even further beans could make this protein pasta salad extra filling for lunch or dinner.
Pasta salad
- 16 ounces pasta whole-grain penne, fusilli, or farfalle pasta
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot small, finely diced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup roasted peppers julienned
- 8 ounces asparagus contemporary, trimmed and minimize into 1″ items
- 8 ounces child spinach contemporary, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 15 ounces cannellini beans canned, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil further virgin
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar aged
- 1/2 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup basil chopped
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Put together pasta in line with bundle instructions. Drain, rinse and put aside.
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In a big skillet over medium warmth, add olive oil, shallot, tomato, roasted peppers, asparagus, child spinach, and frozen peas. Saute till barely softened and aromatic. Take away from warmth.
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Add vegetable combination to a big mixing bowl. Stir within the drained and rinsed cannellini beans, then add the cooked pasta and put aside.
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Whisk dressing elements collectively to kind an emulsion (combine till oil is not separated from different elements and combination is barely thickened).
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Pour dressing over pasta combination, toss flippantly and serve, or chill till able to serve. Greatest served chilly.
Serving: 1.5cups | Energy: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 13g | Fats: 9g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 6g | Sodium: 420mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3183IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4mg |
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This cannellini bean pasta salad is contemporary, flavorful, and extremely simple to make. Between the greens, white beans, pasta, and do-it-yourself dressing, it checks all of the bins for a easy summer season facet dish that really feels satisfying. Whether or not you’re making it for meal prep, a yard barbecue, or a fast household dinner, this white bean pasta salad is at all times a stable selection.
Related Recipes

For those who love simple facet dishes like this, be sure you try a few of my different pasta salads, potato salads, and contemporary summer season sides. They’re good for cookouts, meal prep, and including selection to your weekly meals:
For extra nice recipes, be sure you observe alongside on Fb and Pinterest!
