7 Heart Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 5/2/2025
7 Heart Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes

When you think of your favorite summertime sides, sizzling burgers and refreshing pasta salads usually come to mind. If you’re wondering if those pasta salads can still fit into a heart healthy diet, they can! That’s why we’re sharing our best heart healthy pasta salad recipes made with nutritious, mouth-watering ingredients that make these picnic side dishes low sodium and low fat.

Traditional pasta salads are often made with high calorie, high cholesterol ingredients such as mayo, high fat cheese, processed meats, carb-heavy pasta and creamy store-bought dressings, which make this side dish full of fat and sodium.

Our heart healthy pasta salad recipes call for whole wheat pasta, lean chicken, low calorie vegetables and fiber-rich beans to create low sodium side dishes that are good for you. So next time you’re hosting the family picnic or just bringing a side dish to the neighborhood potluck, share the food and share good health with one of these easy pasta salads!

Our 7 Best Healthy Pasta Salads

These 7 heart healthy pasta salad recipes are full of healthy fats, fiber and protein to fill you up while keeping your heart healthy:

  1. 45 mins

    When you want a colorful side dish that tastes like a fiesta in your mouth, make this taco pasta salad. Whole grain noodles, black beans, avocado and fresh peppers make this low sodium pasta salad part of a heart healthy meal.

  2. 30 mins

    Flavored with a low fat Italian dressing instead of mayo, this healthy side dish is made with peppers, onions, cucumbers and black olives for an easy pasta salad that’s low sodium and high fiber.

  3. 45 mins

    Both smoky and spicy, this cold pasta salad can be made ahead for a quick and easy side dish or meal. This low sodium pasta recipe uses chipotle peppers, lean chicken, chickpeas and avocado to create a healthy noodle dish.

  4. 30 mins

    This healthy summer pasta salad can be made in minutes with heart-friendly ingredients such as fresh, juicy tomatoes, along with flavorful fresh garlic and basil.

  5. 30 mins

    Made with whole grain pasta and an assortment of your favorite hearty vegetables, this pasta side dish is not only tasty, it’s also good for your heart. 

  6. 10 mins

    When you want a heart healthy pasta salad that also doubles as a meal, this seafood recipe delivers. Made with lump crabmeat, this low calorie, low fat dish is accentuated with a creamy sauce flavored with honey and lemon.

  7. 30 mins

    For a heartier pasta salad, make this cheesy pasta recipe that uses tortellini pasta, vegetables and parmesan cheese. It's an easy pasta salad that can accompany any heart healthy meal.

Hearty and Healthy Pasta Salads

Nothing tastes better alongside juicy, grilled burgers than a generous helping of freshly made pasta salad. Now you can enjoy this delicious summertime side dish with these easy and healthy pasta salad recipes.

Whether you like your pasta salad spicy, creamy or loaded with protein, these heart healthy pasta salads are full of ingredients that are low sodium, low fat, and good for your heart!

Looking for more healthy picnic foods? Check out these heart healthy salad recipes that are full of hearty vegetables, fiber and protein to keep you feeling full.

Breaking out the grill? Check out these healthy grilling tips and recipes.

Are you on a gluten free diet? Here’s how to spot hidden gluten at a barbecue.

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