Keto Italian pasta salad made with real pasta. This low carb pasta salad is zesty, crunchy and fresh and tastes just like regular pasta salad – minus all the carbs! Serve it as a tasty side dish or a main.
As a kid, I used to be crazy about pasta salads! They were always so colorful and flavorful, with a variety of textures that made each bite unique. My mom’s pasta salad was always my favorite, and I would beg her to make it for every family get-together.
Now that I’m on the keto diet, I thought I would have to say goodbye to my beloved pasta salad. But luckily, there are some great keto-friendly substitutes out there that allow me to enjoy this dish without all the carbs.
In this post, I’m totally excited to share my version of keto Italian pasta salad with all of you! This dish is packed with flavor, and it’s sure to be a hit at your next potluck, barbecue or Italian dinner party!
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Can you eat pasta salad on keto?
If you’re thinking about making pasta salads with regular pasta, then I’m sorry to say that you’ll have to put those plans on hold. Regular pasta is made with wheat flour, which is high in carbs and not at all keto-friendly.
But don’t worry! My recipe is made with a super low-carb pasta that makes the perfect keto substitute. And when it comes to taste and texture, you really can’t tell the difference. It’s that good!
Here’s the one that I use – Pasta by the Great Low Carb Bread Company. It has only 7 net carbs per two-ounce serving and it cooks in just 10-15 minutes! Perfect for a quick and easy salad or any other keto dish you’re making.
How many carbs does this pasta salad have?
This pasta salad has 4 grams of net carbs per serve (1 serve = 1/4 of the whole recipe)
How to make keto Italian Pasta Salad:
What you’ll need (makes 4 servings as a side dish or 2 servings as a main):
- 1/2 cup (about 100 grams) low carb pasta (dry weight)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olives
- 1/4 cup bocconcini cheese or mozzarella
- 1/4 cup salami slices (about 50 grams)
- 2 tbsp keto Italian dressing
How to make keto macaroni salad:
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Take your pasta bowl, and add olives, tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, and salami slices. Add in the cooked pasta and mix until everything is evenly distributed.
- Drizzle with your favorite keto Italian dressing, and give it one final stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Your Keto Italian pasta salad is now ready! You can either serve it immediately or store it in the fridge for later. I like to enjoy mine cold with a nice glass of chilled white wine. So refreshing!
Tips: For the keto Italian dressing, you can make your own with just white wine vinegar, monk fruit extract, and Italian seasonings. Or, you can use the store-bought dressing from Primal Kitchen. It’s my favorite!
Tips: Make sure your pasta is completely cooled (rinse with some cold water in a colander to achieve this faster) to ensure the other ingredients won’t go soggy and the cheese won’t melt into a big lump.
What can I add to keto pasta salad?
You could add some parmesan cheese, sliced peppers, spinach, red onion, fresh parsley, sundried tomatoes and more.
The options are endless and this low carb pasta salad recipe should just be used as a template to create your own delicious combination of all you keto favorite flavors!
Related: 15 Lazy Keto Lunch Ideas (No Cooking Required!)
Keto Italian Pasta Salad (Super Easy Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (about 100 grams) low carb pasta (dry weight)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olives
- 1/4 cup bocconcini cheese or mozzarella
- 1/4 cup salami slices (about 50 grams)
- 2 tbsp keto Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Take your pasta bowl, and add cut up olives, halved cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, and salami slices. Add in the cooked pasta and mix until everything is evenly distributed.
- Drizzle with your favorite keto Italian dressing, and give it one final stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve cold.
Notes
This is the lowest carb pasta that resembles real pasta that I have found.
Tips: For the keto Italian dressing, you can make your own with just white wine vinegar, monk fruit extract, and Italian seasonings. Or, you can use the store-bought dressing from Primal Kitchen. It's my favorite!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 147Total Fat: 8.3gCarbohydrates: 13.4gNet Carbohydrates: 4gFiber: 9.4gProtein: 11g
FAQs:
Can you make this salad ahead of time?
You definitely can make this cold pasta salad ahead of time! In fact, I would actually recommend it. As you know, pasta salads are often eaten cold. So, this dish tastes even better after the flavors have had a chance to meld together.
Just be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. And once you’re ready to eat, give it a good stir before scooping out your portion.
How to store the low carb macaroni salad?
This pasta salad will last for 5 days in the fridge, stored in an airtight container. So if you have a big party or event coming up, feel free to make a big batch ahead of time.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make keto Italian pasta salad, there’s no excuse not to try it! It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish that will have all your guests asking for the recipe. And trust me, nobody will be able to tell that it’s low-carb. So good!
Hopefully, you enjoy this recipe as much as me and my family do. Let me know in the comments below if you try it out. And be sure to share this post with anyone who might need some healthy keto inspiration! Thanks for reading!
If you end up trying the low carb Italian pasta salad, let me know down in the comments!
More Keto Italian Recipes to Try:
15 Keto Italian Dinner Recipes (Quick&Easy!)
10 Keto Italian Appetizers to Start The Party
10 Keto Italian Side Dishes to Try
9 Keto Italian Desserts to Finish Off Your Dinner