How can you make a creamy vegan pasta salad at home?

That's what you'll find out today.

In fact, you won't just learn one simple recipe, but you'll discover how to combine and layer ingredients to make the pasta salad you want.

From starting with a basic salad to adding bright and exciting flavors, you'll get to make the salad you like the most.

Play around with different vegetables, herbs, and spices to give it your own unique twist.

Don't forget to check out the YouTube video with chef Steve below.

Are you ready to get started? Let's jump right in!

Recipe Author

This recipe is from plant-based chef Steve Lynn.

You can learn more about him on his blog "Veggie Village" or on Instagram.

Instagram: @stevelynn_veggievillage

Website: www.veggievillage.net

Watch the full recipe on YouTube

Ingredients

For the salad

Version 1

300 g (10.6 oz) pasta, cooked

1 bunch of chives

Version 2

All ingredients from version 1, plus

1 handful of arugula

½ cucumber

10-12 cherry tomatoes

6-8 olives

Version 3

All ingredients from version 2, plus

1 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp capers

½ cup of walnuts (normal or roasted)

Zest of 1 lemon

For the dressing

1 cup soy milk

3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp mustard (not grainy)

1-1.5 cups of oil (mild to no flavor, e.g rapeseed or sunflower seed)

1 pinch of salt

Instructions

To make the mayo dressing

1. Mix the milk and apple cider vinegar together and let sit 3-5 minutes
2. Add the mustard and a pinch of salt.
3. Using a handheld blender, blend the milk mixture together.  While mixing slowly drizzle in the oil until the mixture is thick.
4. Taste, and adjust the salt as needed.

To make the salad

Version 1 - Basic salad

1. Cook the pasta of your choice, rinse it and add it to your salad bowl.
2. Finely chop chives, and add them to the salad bowl.
3. Drizzle in some of the dressing. Mix well.

Version 2 - Adding more vegetables

1. Prepare the basic salad (version 1)
2. Roughly chop the arugula, dice the cucumber, and slice the tomatoes and olives. Pick some basil leaves, and cut them into strips.
3. Add all of these vegetables to the salad bowl, and mix well.

Version 3 - Making the salad dressing more 

1. Prepare the salad (version 2)
2. Add the tomato paste and capers to your dressing, and blend it well. Pour the dressing over the salad.
3. Add the walnuts and lemon zest, and mix well.
4. Add the salad to the fridge and let it cool down before serving.