• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan Richa
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • (new) Recipe Filters
    • Popular Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch / Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Indian
    • Instant Pot
    • Burgers
    • Pizza
    • Recipe Index
  • Videos
    • Instant Pot
    • Dessert
    • Holidays
    • Easy Vegan Meals
    • All Recipe Videos
  • CookBooks
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Cookbook(PREORDER NOW)
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen (Print & Digital)
    • Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen (Print & Digital)
  • Resources
    • How To Start A Food Blog
    • Resources for Food Bloggers
    • Vegan Subs & Resources
    • Our Vegan Journey and FAQs
    • Indian Pantry
    • Indian Dal / Lentil Names
  • Shop
  • About / Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • CookBooks
  • Shop
  • About
  • NEW! Instant Pot Cookbook
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » salad

    Tikka Masala Pasta Salad

    Published: Feb 14, 2023 by Richa 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    Part healthy salad, part comforting pasta, this Tikka Masala Pasta Salad recipe has everything you love about your favorite Indian sauce in one bowl. Serve fresh or make ahead for an easy vegan meal, and enjoy either warm or cold. Gluten-free, soy-free & nut-free option.

    vegan tikka masala pasta salad sprinkled with chopped herbs

    Indian food  cravings are not to be taken lightly. However, when it’s simply too hot to whip up a hot and spicy tikka masala, but you are still craving all those flavors, then make this easy pasta salad tossed with a quick tikka masala dressing!

    An Indian-inspired vegan pasta salad that is satisfying, quick and easy and made with simple everyday ingredients! I love how versatile pasta salad is. You can take it in so many directions.

    This vegan pasta salad is great as a main or a side dish. It is bursting with slightly spicy and wonderfully aromatic Indian flavors, and features a mayo-free creamy dressing and lots of crunchy fresh veggies.

    why you’ll love this tikka masala pasta salad

    • it comes together very quickly
    • it’s very flavorful
    • it has veggies, pasta and tofu.
    • it can be made gluten-free Nutfree and Soyfree
    • It satisfies both summer salad and saucy Indian food cravings!

    a white bowl with vegan tikka masala pasta salad sprinkled with chopped herbs

    More Vegan Pasta Salad recipes:

    Easy Summer Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables

    Tuscan Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

    Peanut Sesame Noodle Salad

    Tabbouleh Pasta Salad

    Southwestern Pasta Salad with Black Bean Dressing

    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Vegan Tikka Masala Pasta Salad

    Part healthy salad, part comforting pasta, this Tikka Masala Pasta Salad recipe has everything you love about your favorite Indian curry in one bowl. Serve fresh or make ahead for an easy vegan meal, and enjoy either warm or cold. Nutfree . Options for gluten-free Soyfree
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Main, Side
    Cuisine: American, Indian
    Keyword: Indian pasta salad, vegan pasta salad
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 223kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    For the salad:

    • 4 ounces (113.4 g) farfalle or other pasta cooked according to package instructions
    • 1 large tomato thinly sliced or chopped
    • 1/2 green bell pepper thinly sliced
    • 1/2 cup red onion chopped
    • 6 to 7 ounces (170.1 g) of firm or extra firm tofu chopped or made into thin slices or rectangles
    • 3 to 4 tablespoons chopped pecans or other crunchy additions such as pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds or walnuts
    • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

    For the dressing:

    • 2.5 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 2 tablespoons non-dairy yogurt or use non dairy cream option such as coconut cream or cashew cream or blended up tofu
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala less or more to preference
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • 3/4 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder or paprika less or more to preference
    • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne omit for less heat
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves or use 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
    • Optional: 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup of chickpeas

    Instructions

    • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain and rinse in cold water and add to a bowl.
    • Chop up the vegetables that you plan to use then add to a bowl. Add the tofu, cilantro and the nuts or seeds and mix well.

    Make the dressing:

    • Add all of the ingredients of the dressing into a bowl and mix really well. If the dressing is too thick add in a tablespoon or so of water and mix in. Heat it in a skillet or microwave until it just comes to a boil. Then taste and adjust salt and flavor, it will be salty but it’s going over the entire bowl so you want to keep it a bit on the salty side. Heating the dressing helps the spices bloom. Cool for a few minutes.
    • Add this dressing to your salad bowl, and toss well to coat. Taste and adjust salt and flavour. Add more lime juice if needed, more black pepper if needed. Top it with some more fresh cilantro, let it chill for 15 minutes or more then serve.

    Notes

    • Yogurt substitute:  use any other nondairy cream option such as coconut cream or cashew cream or blended up silken tofu
    • Soyfree: add in a can of chickpeas instead of tofu.
    • nutfree : omit the pecans and add seeds of choice, use Nutfree yogurt or non dairy cream
    • Gluten-free: use glutenfree pasta

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Tikka Masala Pasta Salad
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 223 Calories from Fat 72
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 8g12%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 362mg16%
    Potassium 330mg9%
    Carbohydrates 30g10%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Protein 10g20%
    Vitamin A 682IU14%
    Vitamin C 22mg27%
    Calcium 92mg9%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    vegan tikka masala pasta salad in white bowl, sprinkled with chopped herbs Ingredients:

    • pasta – farfalle or any other shape of pasta cooked according to package instructions
    • veggies: tomato, bell pepper, onion
    • for added protein I like to toss some firm or extra firm tofu into the salad. You can chop it or cut it into thin slices or rectangles
    • chopped pecans are added for some crunch. Instead if pecans you can use any other nut or seed such as pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds or walnuts
    • fresh chopped cilantro adds some color – feel free to use parsley if you are not a fan of cilantro
    • For the dressing, we blend tomato paste with non-dairy yogurt and lime juice
    • tikka masala spices: salt, pepper, garam masala, coriander, garlic and onion powder, Kashmiri chili powder or paprika and cayenne
    • dried fenugreek leaves make this taste extra authentic but you can omit this or add 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
    • another optional add-in would be 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup of chickpeas or white beans

    Tips & Variations:

    • Yogurt sub: use any other nondairy cream option such as coconut cream or cashew cream or blended up silken tofu
    • Soyfree: add in a can of chickpeas instead of tofu.
    • nutfree : omit the pecans and add seeds of choice
    • Glutenfree: use glutenfree pasta

    ingredients needed for making tikka masala pasta salad

    ingredients needed for making vegan pasta salad dressing

    How to make Vegan Tikka Masala Pasta Salad:

    farfalle pasta in a small pot

    Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain and wash in cold water and add to a bowl.


    pasta salad ingredients next to a small bowl with tikka masala dressing

    Chop up the vegetables that you plan to use then add to a bowl. Add the tofu, cilantro and the nuts or seeds and mix well.

    Make the dressing:

    tikka masala pasta salad dressing being mixed in a small white bowl

    Add all of the ingredients of the dressing into a bowl and mix really well.

    Indian spiced creamy tikka masala dressing in a small bowl

    If the dressing is too thick add in a tablespoon or so of water and mix in. Heat it in a skillet or microwave until it just comes to a boil. Then taste and adjust salt and flavor, it will be salty but it’s going over the entire bowl so you want to keep it slightly salty. Heating the dressing helps the spices bloom. Cool for a few mins

    creamy tikka masala being drizzled over pasta salad ingredients in a white bowl

    Add this dressing to your salad bowl, and toss well to coat. Taste and adjust salt and flavour. Add more lime juice if needed, more black pepper if needed.

    tossed vegan Tikka Masala Pasta Salad in a white salad bowl

    Top it with some fresh cilantro, let it chill for 15 minutes or more then serve.

    Storage:

    For best results, keep your leftover pasta salad in a sealed airtight container. As a rule, pasta salad lasts for about 3-4 days when properly stored.

    creamy vegan Indian Tikka Masala pasta salad with veggies in a white bowl

     

    Sharing is caring!

    Share on Pinterest Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Share on Twitter Share on Email
    « Vegan French Onion Dip
    Vegan Boston Cream Pie Cake »


    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment and Rating Cancel reply

      If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online and I love hearing from you all!

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Vicki McLain

      February 27, 2023 at 1:58 pm

      5 stars
      Another winner, Richa! Now, this is a Pasta Salad worthy of capital letters. It’s not your run-of-the-mill pasta salad — it’s got loads of deep, complex flavors. It’ll wake up your taste buds, and they’ll be crying for more!

      I used a can of chickpeas instead of the tofu and added some zucchini, but I made the dressing with every ingredient in the list — even the dried fenugreek leaves. It is a scrumptious main dish pasta salad.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        February 27, 2023 at 7:57 pm

        Thanks so much, Vicki! So glad you loved the recipe. Your review is so kind.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

    More about me →

    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International
    vegan richa cookbook flavor companion
    My exclusive 16 Spice Set
    Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen Cookbook Now Available everywhere where Books are Sold | VeganRicha.com
    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International

    FOLLOW US

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Vegan Richa 's Indian Kitchen Cookbook

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || IndieBound || Details & International

    Popular

    • 18 Best Vegan Recipes of 2022
    • Vegan Tofu Nuggets
    • Best Easy Vegan Recipes of 2021
    • Restaurant Style Aloo Gobi

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || Indigo || Book Depository

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Copyright and Disclaimers

    Resources

    • Indian dals/lentils names
    • Indian pantry
    • Our vegan journey
    • Vegan Substitutes

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitter

    Contact

    • Recipe Index
    • My Favorite Things
    • Advertise, Work With Me

    Cookbooks

    • Vegan Richa’s Indian kitchen cookbook
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday kitchen cookbook 
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Book

    All content on this blog is owned by Vegan Richa LLC.  Links on some posts are affiliate links for e.g. we are participant in Amazon services LLC Associates program. Vegan Richa is monetized in part through the use of such affiliate links. More Details

    Copyright © 2021 Vegan Richa