7 Heart Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 5/2/2025
7 Heart Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Sizzling burgers, ice cold popsicles and refreshing pasta salads usually come to mind when you think of summer picnics and backyard barbecues. But if you’re following a heart healthy diet, you may be wondering if those pasta salads can still fit into your weekly meal plan. They can when you make one of HealtheCooks' best heart healthy pasta salad recipes made with nutritious, mouth-watering ingredients that make these picnic side dishes low in sodium and low in 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. Taco Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    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. Heart Healthy Rotini Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    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. Chipotle Chicken Pasta
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    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. Heart Healthy Fresh Tomato Pasta
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    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. Heart Healthy Veggie Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    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. Heart Healthy Crab Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    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. Heart Healthy Tortellini Pasta Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    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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