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–+ servings
shake the jar to dress everything, then dig in straight from the jar or pour into a bowl.

Pesto Pasta Salad in a Jar

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This vibrant and refreshing vegan pesto pasta salad in a jar is the ultimate make-ahead lunch. Packed with crisp veggies, protein-rich nuts, creamy pesto dressing, and zesty lemon juice, it’s a healthy, portable meal that's as pretty as it is delicious. Shake, pour, and enjoy!
Servings 1 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Mason jar or glass container with lid
  • Medium pot (for boiling pasta)
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or small whisk (for dressing)

Ingredients

  • 1 whole cucumber (thinly sliced)
  • 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 large handful of arugula
  • 1/4 cup olives (pitted and sliced)
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 3/4 cup cooked pasta of choice (cooled)
  • 3 tbsp vegan yogurt (or regular)
  • 1 tbsp vegan pesto (or regular)
  • 1 tbsp vegan mayo (or regular)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts or cashews
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • 1. Load the jar
    - Start layering from the bottom:
    - Add the cucumber and press lightly to create a solid base.
    - Follow with onion, arugula, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes.
    - Add the pasta as the next layer.
    - Spoon in the yogurt, then the pesto and mayo.
    - Season with salt and pepper.
    - Top with toasted pine nuts or cashews and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • 2. Seal & store
    - Close the jar tightly.
    - Store upright in the refrigerator. Keeping the sauces and nuts at the top helps maintain freshness and crunch.
  • 3. Shake to dress
    - When ready to eat, make sure the lid is secure.
    - Flip the jar upside down a few times, then shake well for about 10 seconds to evenly distribute the dressing.
  • 4. Serve
    - Enjoy directly from the jar or pour into a bowl for easier mixing.
    - Also pairs well with extra greens, grilled veggies, or wrapped in a flatbread.

Nutrition

Calories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 16gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 816mgPotassium: 1478mgFiber: 9gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 1131IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 6mg
Calories: 620kcal
Cost: $4.50 USD per serving
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Meal prep, Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: dairy-free pesto recipe, healthy pasta salad recipe, salad in a jar, vegan meal prep lunch, vegan pesto pasta salad