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Nuts and Twigs » Recipes » Salad & Grain Bowls

 Angel Hair Pasta Salad

Published: Apr 11, 2025 · Modified: Jun 25, 2025 by Regi Pearce · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

Angel hair pasta salad with a delicious lemon vinaigrette is light and twirly, perfect for warm weather or any day of the week. It's a fresh, flavor-packed pasta salad recipe that’s bright and zesty and fully ready for a picnic, BBQ, or any lunch or dinner. It's ready in less than 15 minutes.

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I love a good pasta salad— and if you’ve peeked at my recipes like  Autumn Pasta Salad, Vegan Tuna Pasta Salad, and Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad,
you already know.

They’re the perfect combo of comforting and fresh, totally satisfying, and flexible enough for lunch, dinner, or a straight-from-the-fridge forkful. Room temperature or cold, pasta salad is always a favorite.

And this one is no exception. It’s got that same fresh-meets-comfort vibe I love — but with a twist. The angel hair pasta makes it feel, dare I say, lighter, a little more elegant, and totally twirl-worthy. It soaks up the dressing like a dream, and gives big “I know how to make good pasta salad" vibes.

Pair it with my Vegan Chickpea Burgers for the ultimate summer plate, or serve it alongside my Vegan Greek Pasta Salad and Trader Joe’s Ravioli Pasta Salad for a pasta salad power trio that gives people choices!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How To Make  Angel Hair Pasta Salad
  • Top Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Recipe FAQS
  • More Pasta Salad Recipes
  •  Angel Hair Pasta Salad
  • Comments

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It’s the perfect side for potlucks, picnics, or meals at home — light enough to balance heavier mains but flavorful enough to stand on its own.
  • Serve it warm, chilled, or somewhere in between — it’s flexible like that.
  • Comes together fast with simple ingredients. Perfect for last-minute lunches or picnic invites.
  • No dairy, no eggs, just plant-based deliciousness in every bite.

Ingredients

  • Angel hair pasta is also known as capellini.
  • This recipe uses an easy lemon vinaigrette (see picture below). You can substitute any store-bought version.
  • The vegan feta is optional. A delicious store-bought vegan feta is from Follow Your Heart.

See the recipe card for quantities and a complete list of ingredients.

jar of the lemon vinaigrette.
Homemade Lemon Vinaigrette

Variations

  • Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Toss in chickpeas, white beans, or grilled tofu to make it more of a main meal.
  • Sub half the pasta with spiralized zucchini or Palmini for a lighter, veggie-forward version.
  • If you like your salad with some kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or drizzle with chili oil.
  • Swap the lemon vinaigrette for your favorite vegan pesto like this Pistachio Pesto for a herby, cozy flavor switch.

How To Make  Angel Hair Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is ready in less than 15 minutes, including prep time. See the recipe card for any extra details.

Step 1: Boil the pasta. Run it under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down.

Step 2: Combine all the chopped ingredients with the pasta. Add the vinaigrette and mix. Serve and enjoy.

Top Tips

  • Angel hair cooks fast! Pay attention to it to keep it al dente so it holds up when tossed with dressing and doesn't get mushy.
  • Cool it down with a quick rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
  • Smaller veggie pieces mean you get a little of everything in every bite (and less awkward fork juggling).
  • Pasta salad loses some flavor when chilled, so you might want to add a splash of dressing and lemon zest before serving leftovers.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it as a bright, refreshing side next to Pesto Roasted Vegetables or Baked Pesto Tofu or Smoked Tofu.
  • Pack it in a container, grab a fork, and enjoy straight from the cooler. Or portion it out for easy, no-heat-needed weekday lunches. Bonus: it gets even better after a day.
  • Serve it alongside other favorites like my Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad or a big green salad for a beautiful buffet setup.

Recipe FAQS

Can I make angel hair pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes. Store it in the fridge in an airtight container. Since chilling dampens flavors in pasta salad, give it a good toss with a splash of extra dressing and some lemon zest before serving.

How long does angel hair pasta last in the fridge?

About 3 to 4 days.

More Pasta Salad Recipes

  • top view of vegan Greek Pasta Salad mixed with vinaigrette.
    Vegan Greek Pasta Salad
  • Vegan Tuna Pasta salad on a plate.
    Vegan Tuna Pasta Salad
  • side angle of vegan caesar pasta salad in a white bowl.
    Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad
  • vegan orzo sunflower seed pesto salad in a bowl with a spoonful of pesto floating on top
    Vegan Pesto Orzo Salad

Got a minute? I'd love for you to comment and rate Angel Hair Pasta Salad. Your feedback is invaluable. Did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

bowl of angel hair pasta salad.

 Angel Hair Pasta Salad

Regi Pearce
Light, fresh, and full of flavor, this Angel Hair Pasta Salad is a perfect warm-weather side or easy lunch. Tossed with crisp veggies, herbs, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, it’s quick to make, totally plant-based, and delicious hot or cold. Serve it at room temp, straight from the fridge, or freshly made — it’s twirly, tangy, and always a hit.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 13 minutes mins
Course main course, side dish
Cuisine American, Vegan
Servings 4 servings
Calories 455 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz angel hair pasta or capellini, cooked and cooled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes; halved
  • ½ English cucumber chopped
  • 1 small red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ red onion or shallot; finely diced
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives sliced (or green olives)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • 1 batch Easy Lemon Vinaigrette
  • ½ cup vegan feta crumbled; optional
  • zest of 1 lemon optional
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the angel hair according to the package instructions — but go al dente so it doesn’t turn to mush when tossed. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down fast.
  • Prep the veggies: While the pasta cools down, chop all the veggies — tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, onion, and herbs.
  • Toss it all together: In a large bowl, combine all your ingredients together. Pour in your lemon vinaigrette and toss gently to coat without breaking up those twirly noodles.
  • Adjust & Serve: Taste and season with more salt and pepper if necessary. You can also top with some lemon zest for extra zing. Sprinkle with extra vegan feta and serve.

Notes

Boil the angel hair in salted water to bring out the best flavor in this pasta salad.
Consider keeping some extra vinaigrette on hand for a refresh before serving if you're storing.
Toss in chickpeas or grilled tofu cubes for a complete meal.
Nutritional information is only an estimation.

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 761mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg
Keywords 15 minute recipe, batch cook, bbq, beginner friendly, budget friendly, easy, family friendly, kid friendly, lunch box friendly, party food, spring, summer, veganuary
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

More Vegan Salad and Grain Bowls

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    Trader Joe’s Ravioli Pasta Salad
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About Regi Pearce

Hello! I am Regi, the creator of Nuts & Twigs. I debunk the myths that vegan food is all nuts and twigs and offer plant-based scrumptiousness that goes far beyond that "rabbit food" stereotype. So grab your fork and put on your stretchy pants, 'cause you're gonna want seconds.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Regi Pearce says

    April 11, 2025 at 4:40 pm

    5 stars
    This angel hair pasta salad is light, zesty, and honestly one of my favorite things to eat straight from the fridge.

    Reply

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Regina Pearce

I'm Regi.

Head nut, chief twig, and creator of Nuts & Twigs. My husband, Rob, and I live in Colorado. Here, you can expect delicious vegan recipes that make you realize that a life without cheese is not only possible but also worth living.

What kind of person builds a blog called Nuts & Twigs?

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