Menu Close

Pasta Bean Salad Recipe (Vegetarian, High Protein)

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

Jump to Recipe Print

This pasta bean salad recipe is loaded with fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and dressed in a sweet and tangy dressing!  It’s a great vegetarian and high protein side dish for your next summer BBQ, party, or potluck.

This recipe is the perfect combination of creamy macaroni salad and three bean salad for a bright and tangy side dish you’ll love.  Serve alongside my creamy Greek Yogurt coleslaw, baked beans, and corn on the cob!

three bean macaroni salad recipe vegetarian vegan 3 bean salad with macaroni recipe healthy plant based three bean salad with kidney beans chickpeas and green beans and pasta salad plant based

I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy fun summer side dishes with easy plant based ingredients. This three bean pasta salad is a combination of two of my favorite summer salads: creamy macaroni salad and tangy three bean salad.  Put them together… and you have a fun and fresh side dish recipe that’s both hearty and satisfying.

The creamy dressing gets a kick from apple cider vinegar, and the salad is loaded with crisp and crunchy veggies. This 3 bean macaroni salad is a fun twist on two classic dishes.

This Pasta Bean Salad Recipe Is:

  • Bright
  • Fresh
  • Satisfying
  • Crunchy
  • A Crowd Pleaser
  • Vegan, Vegetarian and High Protein
pasta bean salad with beans tangy bean salad with noodles recipe side dishes from the Midwest

Simple Bean and Pasta Recipes 

This bean pasta salad is the tastiest, freshest side dish recipe. It’s perfect for a hearty side for the family, and also great to make for company if you are having guests for dinner.

It makes a great BBQ pasta side dish as well – a simple vegetarian recipe to serve with a salad. Pasta is a fast and inexpensive meal. It takes only 20 minutes to cook, so you can enjoy extra time to prep sides or a salad.

Browse all our pasta recipes here!

What’s In This Plant Based Macaroni Bean Salad Recipe?

See the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

Canned Beans Versus Homemade

While I love the convenience of canned beans, I usually cook dry beans from scratch in my pressure cooker – the texture is better and it’s more affordable.  I use a larger 7.5-Quart Instant Pot which is larger than the standard model so I can batch cook more at a time. 

If you don’t already have one, the Instant Pot works wonders for cooking dried beans fast, no soaking required! While canned beans are super convenient, they are often loaded with sodium.  If you buy canned beans, I always recommend using a no salt added variety so you can control the amount of salt in your dish. 

Next time you reach for the canned beans, think about investing in a pressure cooker instead! Homemade beans are incredibly cost efficient, and you can add seasonings and spices to the beans while they cook for extra flavor.

vegetarian macaroni bean salad recipe gluten free bean salad with macaroni bell pepper white pepper green beans chickpeas kidney beans and relish

30 Minute Pasta Salads for Entertaining

This bean salad with macaroni is what I call an Easy Entertaining Recipe – which is on your table in about 30 minutes.  These quick and simple recipes are perfect for those last-minute potluck invites, or when you just want a quick home-cooked side but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

I have a whole section of The Herbeevore dedicated to Easy Weeknight Meals, that are great for the whole family. From soups and stews, to pastas and proteins – a tasty meal can be on your table in no time.  Just as fast as grabbing a quick prepared side dish from the store (and way more impressive too)! 

If you’re heading to a party, potluck, or BBQ, check out my list of top host gifts for summer entertaining for that next-level gift your host will love!

Other Easy Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love!

Low Sodium Pasta Salad Recipe

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Macaroni and Pea Salad Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Sweet Deli Macaroni Salad Recipe (Vegetarian, GF, Vegan Option)

Gluten Free Amish Macaroni Salad Recipe (Vegetarian, No Mayo)

macaroni bean salad vegan gluten free vegetarian creamy bean salad vegan side salads with no mayonnaise dressing recipes plant based pasta and bean salads

Share This Vegan Macaroni Bean Salad Recipe

As always, if you make this creamy pasta bean salad be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe, and tag me @theherbeevore on Instagram so I can feature you.  I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Let’s keep in touch – make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get fresh recipes weekly. And don’t forget to follow over on Pinterest, Instagram , & Twitter– I’d love to connect with you there! 

three bean macaroni salad recipe vegetarian vegan 3 bean salad with macaroni recipe healthy plant based three bean salad with kidney beans chickpeas and green beans and pasta salad plant based

Pasta Bean Salad

This pasta bean salad recipe is creamy and tangy, with plant based proteins and a bright and fresh dressing. This quick side salad features 2 classic salads: creamy macaroni salad and traditional three bean salad. A side dish with a modern twist.
5 from 5 votes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Pasta, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Midwestern Fusion
Servings 8
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces macaroni use gluten free version if GF
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) Can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) Can No-Salt-Added Chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) Can green beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 sweet onion finely diced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 6 stalks celery finely diced
  • 1/2 bell pepper finely diced
  • 1/2 cup mayo substitute vegan version if needed
  • 1/4 cup sweet relish
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes to taste (I put in a couple of shakes)

Instructions
 

  • Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and put them in a very large mixing bowl.
  • Drain and rinse kidney beans, chickpeas, and green beans. Add them to the macaroni
  • Add the onion, celery, bell pepper and stir to combine. Add the mayonnaise, relish, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, seasoning salt, white pepper, and Red Pepper Flakes. Stir all ingredients together, and taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Cover bowl, and refrigerate 4 hours before serving, or preferably overnight.
  • Store in an airtight container. Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 295mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 341IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a rating and comment below, let us know what you loved about it!

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that support The Herbeevore and our beehives!

Sharing is caring!

Posted in American, Appetizers, Dairy Free, Easy Weeknight Meals, Gluten Free, High Protein, Make Ahead, Midwestern Fusion, Nut Free, Pantry Recipes, Pasta Salad, Pastas, Salads, Summer Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes

3 Comments

  1. Pingback:Avocado Black Bean Salad Recipe with Corn

  2. Pingback:Cowboy Bean Pasta Recipe (High Protein, Vegan)

  3. Pingback:Dill Pickle Pasta Salad Recipe (Vegetarian)

Leave a Reply

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.