We are not a gluten-free family, but I loved this gluten-free pasta salad recipe so much I took a chance with my family. And they loved this brown rice based recipe. Of course, I might have kept the gluten-free detail quiet until I got a thumbs up.
Does anyone else wait to disclose to the family the ingredient list to the picky eaters in the family? I am married to the pickiest eater in our house!
A girl on my tennis team brought this gluten-free pasta salad for the post-match mixer. It is never a good sign when I start to think about food during the match. Let’s just say some of us inhaled this salad. There was not a big enough spoon to scoop up the fresh veggies and tangy salad dressing clingy to the pasta.
The pasta salad was my first gluten-free anything. I could not tell the difference. It turns out I am an equal opportunity pasta lover.
It was an easy recipe with the only difference to say “regular” pasta salad, was the pasta was made from brown rice. Who knew? The brown rice pastas are in the same aisle as the regular pasta. If you can’t find, just look for it in the more expensive section of pastas. I usually shop in the dollar pasta section. It is a little pricier than my usual pasta bags and boxes. I found more options at Trader Joe’s and for less money.
GLUTEN-FREE PASTA SALAD RECIPE
The flexibility of this pasta salad was what I loved about it. I used a variety of veggies and I varied the list of veggies each time I made this recipe. My go-to veggies for this salad included cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli and red peppers.
This is my new favorite go-to summer pasta salad. It’s easy to prepare and looks so pretty on the table. What do you think? I have you cooked with brown rice pasta? I couldn’t tell the difference which I think is the best compliment!

Gluten-Free Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box brown rice pasta
- 1/2 bottle Fat Free Zesty Italian
- 1/4 cup sugar or sugar substitute
- assorted veggies: broccoli, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, peppers and any favorite veggies
Instructions
- Cook pasta per instructions. Drain.Mix Salad Dressing & Sugar.Add assorted vegetables. Chill before ready to serve.

Here is another gluten-free recipe I tried out with my family.
Shhh… the family did not know the main ingredient was in the recipe’s title.
Let me know if you have tried gluten free pasta in the comments.

This looks delish. We just started using the brown rice pastas = great alternative. Thanks for sharing at Reader Tip Tuesday – hope you join us at the next party. xo
Thank you Jodie! laura