Whether you need a side dish for your upcoming summer gathering or want to enjoy a cold fresh side with your summer dinner, or are looking for an easy make ahead lunch, these pasta salad recipes will satisfy and delight your taste buds.
Pasta salad has come a long way over the years and it has become a dish where you can experiment with different flavors, salad ingredients, and types of pasta. It’s no longer just a simple mix of veggies and al dente cooked pasta.
This collection of pasta salad recipes includes a mix of dishes that are bursting with flavor. From simple creamy mayo pasta salads to those with a homemade Italian vinaigrette base, these refreshing salads are easy to make, delicious and require very little cook time.
You’ll find a great assortment of Summer Pasta Salads that are:
- healthy eating friendly
- great for lunch, dinner or meal prep
- fairly easy to make with common ingredients
- good options for Summer meals, cookouts, picnics and celebrations.
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Why You’ll Love These Pasta Salad Recipes
- Easy to make – Most of these recipes are pretty simple, requiring just cooking pasta and a little chopping.
- Versatile – cold pasta salads are so great because they can be served for lunch, dinner, quick meals, taken to potlucks, served at a BBQs or summer parties.
- Great to make ahead – the beauty of pasta salads are that you can make them ahead and then eat for several meals (depending how many people you are feeding). And they taste better over time!
More Summer Recipes to Try
Here’s some more ideas of what to serve with your pasta salads!
Best Grilling Recipes for Summer
Healthy Summer Drinks (Non-alcoholic)
Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes
This is my handpicked list of the BEST Pasta Salad recipes out there!
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1- Easy Veggie Pasta Salad with Feta
Searching for a delicious pasta salad recipe that’s just veggies? This cold pasta salad recipe is made with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, cilantro, and lime and its super easy to make as well as great for summer gatherings.
2- Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Pesto sauce made with fresh herbs tossed with veggies and tortellini pasta is a delicious and easy to make a meal you can enjoy over the summer. It’s a cold salad that never disappoints.
3-Caprese Orzo Salad
With your favorite Italian flavors, this caprese salad brings in orzo. The balsamic dressing paired with the veggies and cheese is nothing short of delicious in terms of flavor.
4- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
You can’t beat the flavorful tangy dressing this Hawaiian macaroni salad has. This sweeter macaroni salad will be a hit with friends and family as a side dish. And with just a few simple ingredients it’s quick to whip up for summer parties and your next cookout.
5- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Bring all of your favorite salad flavors into a pasta salad for a filling and flavorful dish to serve. This chicken Caesar pasta salad is one dish no one will forget and it keeps well for the next day.
6- Street Corn Pasta Salad
Grilled corn, lime juice, chili powder, cotija cheese, and mayo is a delicious and easy to make creamy pasta salad that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics and packs a punch of bold flavor.
7- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
The classic flavor we all love about deviled hard-boiled eggs comes to a pasta salad. This salad can be enjoyed as a great side dish with your favorite meaty main dishes.
8- Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad
With just a few simple ingredients, this bruschetta pasta salad comes together in just a few minutes. This Italian pasta salad recipe is great for summer entertaining served as a light side dish.
9- Greek Pasta Salad
This great pasta salad is perfect for lunch, Greek pasta salad is one delicious and easy to make Mediterranean dish everyone will love. It’s perfect for the warm summer months.
10- Spring Pasta Salad with Asparagus
A zesty pasta salad that’s made with cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, olive oil, mozzarella, and asparagus. If you’re looking for a pasta salad without mayo, this one is delicious and easy to make.
11- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
The perfect summer pasta salad to make with leftover grilled chicken. This BBQ chicken pasta salad brings in all those amazing BBQ flavors and is a dish the whole family will enjoy.
12- Thai Pasta Salad
A side perfect for your summer meals, this Thai pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies and is packed with those amazing Thai flavors.
13-Taco Pasta Salad
A creamy taco mayo-flavored sauce, this pasta salad is an unforgettable dish that will have friends and family asking for the recipe. Great for a summer potluck!
14- Southern Macaroni Pasta Salad
This classic Southern pasta salad is a keeper! It’s creamy and crispy and the perfect cold pasta salad for every occasion.
15- Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
A refreshing pasta salad that’s made with healthy ingredients, this cilantro lime pasta salad is one that’s both filling and easy to make for the family.
16 – Avocado Ranch Pasta Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Crispy seasoned chickpeas give this avocado pasta salad a burst of flavor and texture. The creamy mayo salad dressing has just the perfect amount of seasoning and the chickpeas add plenty of extra protein.
17 – Balsamic Pasta Salad
Packed with colorful vegetables, juicy cherry tomatoes, pasta, grilled chicken, and feta, this rotini pasta salad is tossed with a zesty Italian dressing to create an easy delicious dish everyone will enjoy.
More Summer Recipes
Best Healthy Boneless Skinless Chicken Recipes
Summer Crockpot Recipes to Stay Out the Kitchen
Make Ahead Freezer Meals for Summer
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