Spruce up your party with an Asian Pasta Salad! Packed with an irresistible sweet and salty flavor and full of colorful, crunchy vegetables.
Of allll the yummy pasta salads that have passed through my kitchen lately (and the list is plentiful), this Asian Pasta Salad ranks toward the top of the list. I had containers packed with a variety of pasta salads in my fridge and this is the one I finished first. The sauce is really hard to describe in words, but my best effort would be a sweet and salty combination of tangy-zingy perfection.
Make this quick and easy recipe to bring to your next summer barbecue or tailgate party. I promise people will RAVE and there won’t be another dish like it in the spread.
VIDEO TUTORIAL: ASIAN PASTA SALAD
HOW TO MAKE ASIAN PASTA SALAD
This light noodle salad is so delicious and the spicy homemade dressing is delicious!
STEP 1
Cook 8 ounces of spaghetti or angel hair pasta in a large pot with boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add to a large bowl along with carrots, coleslaw, red bell pepper, green onions and cilantro.
STEP 2
In a small bowl combine the dressing ingredients: soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha and ginger. Whisk until combined. Pour over the contents in the bowl and toss to combine. Mix well, cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, top with sesame seeds.
RECIPE NOTES: ASIAN PASTA SALAD
- The sesame seeds offer a nice texture and finishing touch to your salad. Chopped peanuts would be a great, delicious option, too!
- Snap peas are a great addition to the salad if you’re looking to pack more veggies in.
- Squeeze a half a fresh lime over the salad right as you’re about to serve! The fresh lime juice will add an extra touch of total deliciousness.
- If you need to prep this salad the day before, be sure to cook the noodles and keep the mixed dressing separate until you are ready to serve. Combine the noodles and dressing just before serving.
- Have leftover rotisserie chicken? This side dish just became the main meal. Toss in some shredded chicken for a delicious lunch or dinner!
- Don’t skip the cilantro! Even if you’re not a huge fan, this fresh-tasting herb will cool the spicy ingredients down and complement the mixture.
- Feel free to serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Make a second batch of this dressing and keep it on hand for another salad!
- The spaghetti/angel hair is such a perfect noodle for this recipe, but in a pinch feel free to swap out for a different type of pasta.
OTHER DELICIOUS PASTA SALAD RECIPES
Pasta salad are the best kinds of recipes to bring to any type of gathering because they get DEVOURED. Here are a handful of other pasta salad faves!
- Best Ever Pasta Salad is my favorite pasta salad recipe of ALL TIME. It is packed full of delicious bites (think olives, salami, chunks of cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes!) and it is the perfect food to bring to potlucks.
- Taco Ranch Pasta Salad – Having a pasta salad that shares the crunchy wonderful zingy flavors of a taco dinner is great for potlucks and summer BBQ’s!
- Caprese Pasta Salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese and basil is absolute perfection!
- This Italian Pasta Salad is a delicious cold salad that can be made quickly, but that does not lack in flavor! It is packed with pasta, crisp veggies, fresh mozzarella, black olives and salami.
- Easy Classic Macaroni Salad is creamy, crunchy, filling and totally delicious! Enjoy the diced red onion and flavor of the simple dressing made with mayo, mustard and apple cider vinegar with a few spices thrown in!
FAVORITE TAKE-OUT COPYCAT RECIPES
Being able to make some of your favorite take-out recipes is going to change things up! Follow along to learn how to make some delicious Asian favorites.
- How To Make Your Own Flavorful Chili Paste
- Easy Orange Chicken
- Hoisin Chicken Rice Bowl
- Easy Mongolian Beef
- Easy Pad Thai with Shrimp and Tofu
HEALTHY SALAD OPTIONS
If you’re on a roll with salads and are looking for some healthier options, consider these delicious options:
- This chopped salad is the best because it’s packed with delicious ingredients. My Best Chopped Salad includes candied pecans, red onions, avocado, tomatoes and more!
- Edamame Tomato Corn Salad is my favorite salad recipe of ALL TIME. This delicious salad is a crowd-pleaser, enjoyed any time of the year. Bring this to a party and it will be devoured immediately!
- This versatile Loaded Veggie Salad is EASY to make and it is packed with healthy ingredients, such as chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes and avocados. It is a delicious lunch, wrap filling, party side or even a topping for chicken!
Asian Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti or angel hair pasta
- 1 cup match stick carrots
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 bunch green onions thinly sliced, white and light green parts only
- 1/4 cup cilantro finely chopped
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp sriracha sauce
- 1/4 tsp dried ginger
- Sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Add to a large mixing bowl along with carrots, coleslaw, pepper, onions and cilantro.
- In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha and ginger. Whisk until combined. Pour over the contents in the bowl and toss to combine.
- Mix well, cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, top with sesame seeds.
Notes
- The sesame seeds offer a nice texture and finishing touch to your salad. Chopped peanuts would be a great, delicious option, too!
- Snap peas are a great addition to the salad if you’re looking to pack more veggies in.
- Squeeze a half a fresh lime over the salad right as you’re about to serve! The fresh lime juice will add an extra touch of total deliciousness.
- If you need to prep this salad the day before, be sure to cook the noodles and keep the mixed dressing separate until you are ready to serve. Combine the noodles and dressing just before serving.
- Have leftover rotisserie chicken? This side dish just became the main meal. Toss in some shredded chicken for a delicious lunch or dinner!
- Don’t skip the cilantro! Even if you’re not a huge fan, this fresh-tasting herb will cool the spicy ingredients down and complement the mixture.
- Feel free to serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Make a second batch of this dressing and keep it on hand for another salad!
- The spaghetti/angel hair is such a perfect noodle for this recipe, but in a pinch feel free to swap out for a different type of pasta.
This salad was excellent! I made it as directed except I used 1 Tb cider vinegar and 1 Tb red wine vinegar because I didn’t have rice vinegar. I followed the written instructions and mixed the dressing in a separate bowl before adding it to the salad instead of following the video which shows the cook just putting all the ingredients in the bowl at once. I used angel hair pasta which was great. I Made this salad in the morning and let it chill all day. I served it with teriyaki chicken thighs that I marinated and grilled and fresh pineapple. A perfect meal for a hot day. The leftovers were really good too for a light lunch.
Great improvisation! It sounds like a wonderful meal. Thanks for sharing!