Looking for the perfect summer dishes? Dive into our roundup of 13 delicious pasta salad recipes! From classic Italian pasta to delicious tortellini and more, find the perfect addition to any BBQ, picnic or light dinner. Simple, flavorful and absolutely irresistible – your perfect pasta salad adventure begins here!
As the heat rises and the days lengthen, our focus shifts to light, nutritious meals that not only satisfy our cravings, but also keep us cool. Our handpicked selection of pasta salad recipes are bursting with bold flavors, fresh ingredients and the easy-going vibe of summer. These easy-to-follow recipes are perfect for a sunny picnic, a backyard BBQ, or a simple family dinner. So grab your favorite pasta shape and immerse yourself in the culinary essence of summer together!
Whether you’re looking for the best versions of classics like macaroni salad and Italian pasta salad, or want to try something a little different, we’ve got you covered.
Spicy Thai Noodle Salad
4 hrs 15 mins
Spicy Thai Noodle Salad is hot, flavorful and inspired by the flavors of Thai cuisine. You will love this dish!
1. Thai Noodle Salad: Try something completely new with our Spicy Thai Noodle Salad. This recipe is such a smash hit. With each preparation we have to double or triple the amount. Forget tiny, small portions, you’re going to want a big portion of it. If you want to make it a heartier main course, you can even add shredded rotisserie chicken.
2. Pesto Pasta Salad is an enchanting balance of textures and flavors. Prepare for this salad’s colorful palette with fresh veggies and a delicious homemade pesto to make your dining experience truly delicious.
3. Cowboy Pasta Salad is the kind of hearty meal that fills you up on a hot day! Stuffed with ground beef, cheese cubes, bacon, beans, corn and a flavorful homemade dressing, you’re guaranteed not to leave hungry.
4. BLT Pasta Salad combines the classic taste of a BLT sandwich with the heartiness of pasta for a delicious and filling meal.
5. Lemon Dill Orzo Chicken Pasta Salad has something for everyone – a flavorful blend of tender chicken, hearty orzo pasta and fresh veggies, all paired with a tangy lemon-dill dressing. This is the perfect companion for your summer picnics or family reunions.
The best macaroni salad
20 min
Macaroni Salad is a classic picnic and BBQ side dish! Packed with tender pasta, veggies and a creamy dressing, this recipe is super easy to make!
6. Macaroni Salad is a popular classic in the world of pasta salads. Its base, humble elbow macaroni, serves as the perfect canvas for a variety of flavors and textures. The macaroni comes with a creamy dressing, often a flavorful combination of mayonnaise and mustard, and a mix of fresh ingredients. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or venture into creative variations, the charm of macaroni salad lies in its comforting familiarity coupled with the potential for personalization.
Bring on the ranch!
7. Cilantro Ranch Pasta Salad is light, refreshing and totally delicious. It’s so easy to make ahead of time and eat all week, and it’s a fun way to change your pasta salad game! Perfect for potlucks, picnics and backyard BBQs.
8. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a culinary masterpiece that perfectly balances the hearty goodness of chicken and bacon, the refreshing crunch of fresh vegetables, and the delicious creaminess of homemade ranch dressing. This is simply irresistible.
9. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: Crispy bacon meets smooth cheddar cheese, while zesty peas and olives add a refreshing twist to this bacon ranch pasta salad. Topped off with a creamy, homemade ranch dressing, this dish proves that salads can actually be the star of the show.
Classic Italian pasta salad
20 min
Classic Italian Pasta Salad is filled with chilled rotini, lots of veggies, mozzarella cheese and our homemade Italian dressing.
10. Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect companion for sun-kissed days. We’ve taken the essence of all seasons and blended them into a dish that’s undeniably a summer star. It’s effortless to prepare yet packs powerful flavors. It is the ideal dish as an appetizer, side dish or even as a light main course. Perfect for picnics, potlucks and BBQs.
11. Italian Orzo Pasta Salad: Experience a delicious twist on a classic with our Italian Orzo Pasta Salad, an embodiment of summertime indulgence with a unique texture and flavor profile. Orzo, an often-overlooked pasta shape, is the star of this dish. Resembling large grains of rice, orzo provides a distinctive mouthfeel and silky texture that beautifully complements the crunchiness of the fresh vegetables. These tiny noodles are an extraordinary flavor carrier. Each slice features the savory homemade Italian dressing and provides a taste explosion with every bite. It’s the same symphony of ingredients you love — ripe tomatoes, flavorful pepperoncini, and hearty hot peppers — all woven harmoniously with the tender orzo.
12. Italian Couscous Salad: At the heart of this dish is couscous, tiny pasta pearls that are not only quick to make but perfect for soaking up the savory homemade dressing and providing a delightfully soft and filling mouthfeel. We’ve paired the couscous with creamy mozzarella, pickled olives, bold salami and the gentle kick of chili peppers to create a vibrant blend of flavors that’s simply irresistible.
13. Tortellini Pasta Salad, a playful yet filling twist on the traditional pasta salad. This dish will take you on an irresistible journey of flavors with a core of tortellini stuffed with cheese and a delicious surprise in every bite. Paired with Italian salami and plenty of fresh, crunchy vegetables, it’s a vibrant, texture-packed experience.
And that’s the end of our journey through the wonderful world of summer pasta salads! We hope you’ve found some tasty inspiration and are ready to get started with your pasta game. These recipes aren’t just about mixing ingredients together; It’s all about soaking up the summer vibes and creating great food memories. Whether you’re interested in the classic Italian pasta salad, want to explore the unique textures of orzo and couscous, or can’t resist the cheesy deliciousness of tortellini, you’ll find a recipe with your name on it here. So grab your apron, crank up your favorite cooking tunes, and have a pasta-filled summer. Happy cooking folks!
