Name: Asian Pasta Salad at Home
Yield: 8

Asian Pasta Salad hits all the right notes—crunchy textures, fresh flavors, and a sesame-soy dressing you’ll dream about!

Featured Comment

I’ve made this recipe from you several times. It’s been a hit every time! Next week I will be taking it to a Quilt Retreat. Thank you for your great recipes!!!
– Linda

Author’s Notes

Why This Asian Pasta Salad Needs to Be on Your Menu

This is a step away from mayo-heavy pasta salads (still love you guys too!) to something fresh, bright, and Asian-inspired. It’s got crisp veggies, juicy mandarins, crunchy almonds, and an insanely good dressing.

More reasons to make it: It’s quick (ready in 30), always a hit at gatherings (kids love it too), and super straightforward to prep ahead. Plus, you can swap ingredients easily. It’s honestly one of my all-time favorite salads—I think you’ll love it too!

Dressing ingredients prepped and ready: sesame oil, vegetable oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame seeds, sugar, and ginger.

Asian Pasta Salad Ingredients

Full recipe below, but here are a few tips:

Chicken: Skip for a vegetarian version, or use rotisserie, grilled, or cooked chicken.
Veggies: Coarsely chop the spinach. Use pre-shredded carrots to save time.
Mandarin oranges: Drain and gently pat dry to keep the salad from getting watery.
Sliced almonds: Buy pre-toasted or quickly toast your own for extra crunch.
Sesame oil & seeds: Use toasted versions for the best flavor.

Quick Tip

How to Toast Almonds: Add sliced almonds to a dry skillet over a medium burner, stirring often, until lightly golden and fragrant. Watch closely—they burn fast!

Variations

Switch Things Up!

Here are some ways to switch up this Asian Pasta Salad:

Add a creamy element: Dice avocado and add it right before eating.
Swap the peppers: Use roasted red peppers for a smoky flavor.
Use fresh clementines: Peel and segment instead of using canned.
Swap greens: Baby kale works great and holds up better with dressing.

How to Make Asian Pasta Salad (Tips)

Salt the pasta water well: This is the only chance to season the pasta itself.
Use small, textured pasta: Rotini, mini shells, or bowtie grab onto the dressing best.
Cook pasta to al dente: Keeps it chewy, not soggy, once dressed.
Make the dressing ahead: Chilling it helps the flavors blend and taste even better.

Asian pasta salad ingredients laid out for straightforward assembly including chicken, pasta, almonds, herbs, spinach, peppers, carrots, and oranges.

Storage

Make Ahead

I like this Asian Pasta Salad best the day it’s made. For longer storage, keep the dressing separate and add fresh each day. Leave out the spinach until serving—it wilts fast.
You can prep ahead—store everything separately and toss together before eating.
This salad doesn’t freeze well.