Vegan Creamy Pasta Salad with Peas and Seitan Ham
If you’re looking for a pasta salad that’s creamy but not heavy, filling but not fussy, and full of real flavor without needing to chop a million veggies, you’ve landed in the right place. Our Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas and Seitan Ham is a fast, fuss-free dream recipe that’s packed with fresh flavor, plant-based protein, and picnic-friendly vibes!
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Craving a creamy, tangy pasta salad that tastes like spring in a bowl? That’s exactly where our Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas and Seitan Ham shines! It’s got maximum flavor with minimum effort. Unlike a lot of pasta salads that leave you hungry an hour later, this is hearty enough to be a real meal. (I should know because I’ve eaten it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for about 3 days straight!)
Between the seitan ham, peas, a silken tofu dressing, and the option of using high-protein pasta, you’re getting a wildly delightful protein punch that makes this a total lunch (or dinner!) winner. Plus, that homemade ranch dressing? It’s made with silken tofu, garlic, and miso for a lighter, oil-optional twist on the classic. No store-bought mayo needed!
Make it with or without the seitan ham, but it’s a great way to use up leftovers if you made our vegan holiday ham for Easter or even Christmas! Whether you’re heading to a picnic or party, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something zingy and satisfying, this vegan cold pasta salad is about to become your new go-to.
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Ingredients (and Easy Substitutions!)
Pasta (cavatappi, bowtie, or rotini) – We ADORE this pasta salad with cavatappi because it makes it feel every so *fancy*, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape. To make it a vegan high-protein pasta salad, use a chickpea or lentil-based pasta like Banza or Barilla Protein+!
Frozen peas (thawed) – Or swap in edamame or even canned chickpeas for a twist.
Seitan ham – Perfect for using up leftover vegan ham if you make or buy it for a special dinner like Easter, Mothers’ Day, or even Christmas! Want it gluten-free? Skip the seitan and add more peas. And don’t forget to swap out the pasta for your favorite gluten-free brand!
For the Creamy Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad Dressing, you’ll need:
- Silken tofu – This keeps the dressing ultra-smooth and creamy, no gritty textures here.
- Olive oil – or sub 2 more oz silken tofu for an oil-free vegan pasta salad
- Apple cider vinegar – For that classic tangy bite.
- Vegan ranch seasoning – Store-bought or homemade both work! We used our homemade vegan ranch seasoning that’s always in stock in our kitchen.
- Garlic cloves – Because garlic makes everything better.
- White miso paste – Adds that deep umami flavor you usually only get from mayo-based dressings.
- Ground black pepper
How to Make This Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
First, cook your pasta according to package directions. Then, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep it from sticking together.
Meanwhile, thaw your peas and dice up your seitan ham into bite-sized pieces.
For the dressing, toss all the ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend on high for a full minute. It should be super creamy and glossy when it’s ready. (See photo below.) That’s how you know you’ve fully emulsified the oil!
Next, grab a big mixing bowl (bigger than you think) and toss your cooled pasta with that dreamy ranch dressing until every nook and cranny is coated.
Then fold in your peas and seitan ham, give it a taste, and season with extra salt and pepper if needed.
That’s it! Chill it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, and if you want to be fancy, sprinkle some sliced scallions on top before diving in.
Tips and Variations
Make it a Vegan High-Protein Pasta Salad: Use a protein-packed pasta like Barilla Protein+ or Banza, and keep that seitan ham in for an extra protein boost! This is how I like to make it for meal prep.
Make it Oil-Free: Sub 2 oz silken tofu for the olive oil, and choose an oil-free vegan ham or double the peas.
Gluten-Free Option: Skip the seitan and use a gluten-free pasta. The creamy dressing will still be magical.
Mix up the veggies: Swap peas for edamame, add chopped broccoli, red bell peppers, or fresh spinach. A sprinkle of fresh dill, parsley, or any fresh garden herbs would be *chef’s kiss*.
Shortcut: In a pinch, you can totally use your favorite store-bought vegan ranch dressing instead of homemade!
Storage Tips
Store your creamy vegan pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days. If it thickens up too much as it chills, just splash a little water or vinegar over it and stir before serving. It actually gets even more flavorful after sitting for a few hours. Hello, perfect meal prep!
What to Serve with Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
This pasta salad pairs so well with:
- Breads: Our Easy Vegan Bread, Homemade Vegan Dinner Rolls, or Vegan Garlic Bread for soaking up every last bit of dressing
- Soups: A cozy bowl of Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup or Vegan Beer Cheese Soup for a soup-and-salad combo
- Sandwich: Or load up a plate next to a bagel sandwich or any hearty vegan sandwich you love! For more ideas, check out our list of vegan sandwich ideas
More Vegan Pasta Salad Recipes
If you love this, definitely check out our:
All perfect for easy lunches, picnics, and potlucks!
If you make this Vegan Spring Pasta Salad, let us know how it turned out! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Happy cooking!
Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas and Seitan Ham
Ingredients
- 16 oz. pasta cavatappi, bowtie, or rotini
- 1 ½ cup frozen peas thawed
- 1 ½ cup diced seitan ham
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the dressing:
- 8 oz. silken tofu
- 1/4 cup olive oil or sub 2 more oz silken tofu
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tbsp vegan ranch seasoning*
- 3 large cloves garlic
- 2 Tbsp white miso paste
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook and drain pasta. Spray with cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, defrost the peas and dice the seitan ham.
- Add all the dressing ingredients to your food processor and blend on high for 1 full minute until smooth and shiny.
- In a large bowl, toss the pasta with the dressing. Then, add the peas and ham and toss again.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, add more salt/pepper if desired.
- Serve cold garnish with sliced scallions or fresh parsley.
Video
Notes
Variations
- Make it a Vegan High-Protein Pasta Salad: Use a protein-packed pasta like Barilla Protein+ or Banza, and keep that seitan ham in for an extra protein boost! This is how I like to make it for meal prep
- Make it Oil-Free: Sub 2 oz silken tofu for the olive oil, and choose an oil-free vegan ham or double the peas.
- Gluten-Free Option: Skip the seitan and use a gluten-free pasta. The creamy dressing will still be magical.
- Mix up the veggies: Swap peas for edamame, add chopped broccoli, red bell peppers, or fresh spinach. A sprinkle of fresh dill, parsley, or any fresh garden herbs would be *chef’s kiss*.
