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If you are looking for a new lunch recipe, I have a delicious one for you. This easy Mandarin Pasta Salad is ready in just 20 minutes, is vegan, and can be made the night before.

Best Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad

Packed with mini sweet peppers, mandarins, green onions, spinach and carrots, then tossed with a sesame ginger dressing and topped with Chow Mein noodles for added crunch make this Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad a delicious and nutritious meal. Do you like Chinese chicken salad? Well, this Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad is what happens when Chinese chicken salad goes plant-based with this delicious vegan recipe.

This make-ahead lunchbox option is perfect for those busy weeks. Prep at the beginning of the week and mix and match with your favorite sides for each meals. We really love pairing this pasta salad with edamame and kiwi. In just one fruit you get over 100% of your recommended daily value of Vitamin C!

Metal bento box filled with pasta salad, kiwi and edamame on striped napkin and a pink plastic fork

Packing Tip: We love using the LunchBots Large Bento Box. It’s the perfect size for snacks and a this yummy pasta salad.

Mom Tip: Pack the Chow Mein noodles in a separate small container to be added right before eating to ensure optimal crunchiness!

Nutrition Tip: Mandarins and sweet peppers are both loaded with vitamin C, which has a special power: It helps the body soak up more iron from other foods in the meal (like the pasta and spinach in this salad).

Get a dose of immunity-boosting Vitamin C from fresh Bee Sweet Citrus Mandarin oranges. Using fresh mandarins in this recipes instead of canned add more flavor, juiciness and less added sugar.

Key Ingredients:

  • Pasta
  • Sweet peppers
  • Mandarins
  • Sesame Ginger Dressing
  • Chow Mein noodles
Easy Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad

How long is pasta salad good for in the refrigerator?

Store this easy pasta salad in the fridge for up to 4 days in an air-tight container.

Pasta Salad Storage Suggestions

I don’t recommend freezing pasta salad. But since this meal can double as lunch and dinner, I would bet that you don’t end up with a lot of leftovers after those 4 days in the refrigerator.

Since this Mandarin Pasta Salad is so easy to make and stores well in the refrigerator, it also makes for an easy weeknight dinner idea. The leftovers can be saved for lunch the next day. Dinner and lunch are done in just 20 minutes. Perfect.

Mandarin Pasta Salad

Amanda Keefer
This Mandarin Pasta Salad is a delicious vegan recipe. Perfect for lunches or an easy weeknight dinner. This pasta salad is packed with mini sweet peppers, mandarins, green onions, spinach and carrots, then tossed with a sesame ginger dressing and topped with Chow Mein noodles for added crunch.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunchbox Ideas
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6 servings
Calories 470 kcal

Equipment

  • LunchBots Bento Box

Ingredients
  

Chinese Mandarin Pasta Salad

  • 16 ounces rotini pasta
  • 6 mini sweet peppers sliced
  • 3 Bee Sweet Citrus mandarins peeled, segmented
  • 3 green onions sliced
  • 2 cups baby spinach chopped
  • 1/2 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1/2 cup sesame ginger dressing
  • 1/4 cup Chow Mein noodles

Sides (per lunchbox)

  • 1 kiwi peeled, sliced
  • 1/2 cup steamed edamame pods

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
  • Mix pasta, peppers, oranges, green onion, spinach, carrots and dressing in large bowl. Toss to coat well. Top with Chow Mein noodles. (For lunchboxes, pack Chow Mein noodles in a small container to be added right before eating to ensure optimal crunchiness!)
  • Serve with kiwi and edamame

Video

Keyword cold lunch, easy lunch, healthy lunch, lunch box, lunch ideas, lunch recipes, lunchbox idea