Dinner-Worthy Salads Without Lettuce

This healthy salad is a great way to get some whole grains and veggies into your diet. It’s filled with great flavours and textures, and easy to pack for lunch or a picnic.

With a hearty base of rice noodles, this lemongrass-scented noodle salad is packed with perfectly cooked shrimp, cilantro and mint.

A combination of orecchiette, peppers, onion, tomatillos, corn and lima bean, this simple and delicious Tex-Mex inspired pasta salad can be served as a filling main for lunch or dinner — or as a bright and tasty side.

Whip up this quick Italian side for a fragrant and filling salad that will last for days in your cooler. Fresh oregano, thyme and basil meld perfectly with red-wine vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil.

Made with juicy grilled asparagus and zucchini, Bobby Flay’s colourful summer salad highlights the naturally nutty flavour of couscous by lightly toasting it before dressing with a delicate balsamic vinaigrette.

Full of red pepper, fragrant garlic, fresh cilantro and chickpeas makes this a protein-packed side that will leave you satisfied after a long day of outdoor adventure.

Ina makes her noodle salad to serve a crowd, so you can have it on hand for quick meals a few days after it’s prepared. Instead of hard-to-find soba noodles, quick-cooking spaghetti gives this recipe the same look without compromising the taste or texture — besides, it’s all about that peanut sauce!

A coastal Italian twist on classic potato salad, olives give this dish briny flavour and chopped octopus makes it meal worthy.

This salad from Ree Drummond is complete with thin spaghetti, cucumbers, two kinds of cabbage, kale and chopped peanuts.

Chock-full of tomatoes, cheddar, green onions and bacon, this creamy pasta salad can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

This hearty tuna pasta salad is chock-full of fresh ingredients, including celery green onion, bell peppers, red onion, and fresh parsley and tarragon.

Plenty of protein, olive oil and a bit of fiery chili make this pasta dish a lighter option than traditional spaghetti recipes. Instead of white pasta, try a whole grain alternative, and round out the meal with a big salad.

You’ll be surprised by just how filling this grape, bell pepper and lentil salad really is, while still remaining one of those simple, guilt-free meals.

Farmers’ market season is just around the corner, and this recipe brings the best of the best together for a picnic-perfect salad. The mix doubles up on zucchini, combining both zucchini noodles and blossoms. It’s a taste of the warm weather we can’t wait to dig into.