Summer cookouts are renowned for their hot dogs, burgers, and grilled steaks. However, they would not be complete without a pasta salad!
In reality, we could simply heap a generous serving of pasta salad (or potato salad for that matter) onto our plates and be satisfied.
This is especially true when it comes to these irresistible pasta salad recipes!
Whether it’s a summer recipe like a farmer’s market pasta salad brimming with vegetables, or an Italian-inspired pasta salad laden with salami and olives, there’s something here to please everyone at the BBQ.
Naturally, these pasta salads are also perfect for picnics, potlucks, or any other summer gatherings, as they can be prepared ahead of time.
35 Pasta Salad Recipes: Prepare Your Meals with Mastery
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This recipe brings together two beloved dishes: a rich pasta salad and chicken Caesar! It even incorporates homemade dressing and crispy croutons!
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
To prepare this scrumptiously delightful, ranch-loaded pasta ahead of your upcoming BBQ, ensure to set the bacon aside until it’s time to serve. Doing so guarantees its crispiness!
Italian Pasta Salad
We adore numerous versions of this quintessential side dish.
Yet our surefire choice is this recipe inspired by Italian cuisine, whenever we require a dependable BBQ accompaniment.
Classic Macaroni Salad
We adore pairing macaroni salad with pulled pork or ribs.
However, it can be quite disheartening when the salad turns out overly dry or soggy.
This recipe ensures a perfect macaroni salad every time.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
This Southwestern-style pasta salad is sure to steal the show at your next potluck event.
It brims with a variety of ingredients such as avocado, corn, and cherry tomatoes. Plus, it’s all tossed in a creamy chipotle dressing that adds a delightful kick.
Greek Orzo Salad
Orzo may resemble rice, but it’s not a grain, it’s pasta! Like any pasta, orzo serves as an excellent foundation for a salad.
This simple version bursts with all our favorite vibrant Mediterranean ingredients, such as tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers.
Remember not to overlook the homemade lemon-and-dill dressing—it vastly surpasses anything you could purchase in a bottle.
Lobster Roll Pasta Salad
Let’s give the traditional macaroni salad a fresh twist by incorporating succulent lobster meat and crunchy bacon.
These ingredients complement the zesty, rich dressing perfectly.
Caprese Pasta Salad
This pasta salad, bursting with the flavor of sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, perfectly encapsulates the essence of summer.
The addition of red chili flakes at the end truly invigorates the taste.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
This traditional pasta salad hails from the Hawaii State, where it enjoys immense popularity!
Imagine yourself on the tropical island as you prepare it alongside your most-loved grilling recipes.
Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta Salad
This pasta salad recipe boasts a captivating creamy peanut dressing and is generously filled with fresh, crunchy vegetables, with absolutely no trace of mayonnaise.
The preparation is straightforward and it tastes equally delightful whether served hot or cold.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Pickles are not merely an addition to burgers, they are the central ingredient in this tangy pasta salad!
In this recipe, pickle juice is employed in the dressing, and diced pickles are mixed all through.
Grilled Chicken Cajun Pasta Salad
If you choose to prepare this spicy pasta salad for your upcoming summer grill party, be ready for all your guests to request the recipe.
It offers the perfect balance of spice, courtesy of a Cajun-flavored, mayo-infused dressing you’re bound to adore.
Tuna Pasta Salad
This recipe is a delightful fusion of two family favorites: tuna noodle casserole and pasta salad. It’s rich, refreshing, and satisfying!
Summer Couscous Salad
In this recipe, we’re employing couscous as our foundation, complemented by a vibrant mix of vegetables such as cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions.
The result is a dish that’s light and straightforward, yet festive enough to be the centerpiece of any celebration.
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Are you aware that tortellini can be used to make pasta salad?
Its chewy texture and cheesy taste make it an excellent option for this dish that can be prepared ahead of time.
Greek Pesto Pasta Salad
We love incorporating pesto in a variety of ways, including as a dressing for cold pasta salads.
You have the option to either use pesto bought from a store or create your homemade version!
BLT Pasta Salad
All the elements you adore in a traditional BLT, including crunchy bacon bits, are captured in this pasta version!
It simply doesn’t get any better than this.
Creamy Noodle Salad
These noodles are smothered in a sweet and spicy mayo-based sauce that can honestly complement any dish.
The fiery tones of fresh ginger, garlic, and sriracha are effortlessly calmed by the mayo and a hint of sugar.
Further, the creaminess of the mayo is beautifully counterbalanced by the sharpness of the rice vinegar and lime zest. Delicious!
Cowboy Pasta Salad
Consider this an upgraded version of the taco salad, only with pasta, making it the perfect choice for shared meals and barbecues.
Once you incorporate ground beef into a pasta salad, you’ll find it irresistible. It’s just too delicious!
Super Green Pasta Salad
Eating your greens becomes much easier when they’re part of a pasta salad.
Sweet baby spinach is an excellent choice for this, but you could also consider using spicy arugula or delicate baby kale.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
If you’re a fan of tuna salad and macaroni salad, the most sensible action is to combine them into a hearty serving of spicy tuna macaroni.
This recipe instructs you to quickly pickle red onions, grate carrots, and dice pickles while the pasta is boiling.
Garden Pasta Salad
This delectable pasta salad replaces the traditional macaroni with pasta shells, though you can choose any shape that suits your fancy.
It’s generously filled with vibrant, crunchy vegetables such as radishes, jicama, and bell peppers.
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Are you in search of an uncomplicated yet impressive summer side dish? This pasta salad, inspired by bruschetta, is your answer.
I recommend using orecchiette, as it perfectly absorbs the straightforward dressing of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Sesame Pork Noodle Salad
Ramen noodles can be utilized to prepare pasta salad! This unique approach adds a fun spin to the traditional recipe.
Including pork makes it substantial enough to serve as a weekday dinner.
Chipotle Pasta Salad with Mozzarella
This unique take on pasta salad holds a hidden flavor gem: chipotles! It’s delightfully creamy, tangy, and carries a hint of spice.
Kale Pasta Salad
Here’s a handy tip to encourage your kids to eat their greens: pair them with a pasta salad!
This adaptable dish can be served either cold or warm, it’s equally delightful in both ways.
Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
This delightful pasta salad offers a striking balance of sweet and savory, with strawberries taking center stage.
It distinguishes itself amid a multitude of typical macaroni salads. The glaze, both tangy and sweet, is simply divine.
Tuscan Tortellini Salad
This simple tortellini salad is consistently a hit at outdoor gatherings.
Substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh cherry tomatoes, replace spinach with kale, or swap out the salami for bacon.
And if Parmesan isn’t your cheese of choice, feel free to use Pecorino or mozzarella instead.
Cobb Pasta Salad with Chicken
This unique summertime fusion combines the elements of a Cobb salad with a pasta salad.
The addition of hard-boiled eggs, chicken, bacon, and avocado elevates it to a main course dish.
Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
Delicious, ripe strawberries are combined with smooth mozzarella and fresh herbs, such as mint and basil, in this unique pasta salad recipe.
Ramen Noodle Salad
This clever salad recipe incorporates raw ramen noodles and their accompanying seasoning packet as croutons.
To prepare this for a picnic or BBQ, you can toast the noodles and marinate the cabbage and carrots in advance. Just ensure to mix everything right before you leave.
Lemony Herb Couscous
Couscous, which is indeed classified as pasta, frequently gets overlooked. Frankly, we’re puzzled as to why.
It’s far simpler to prepare than most grains or kinds of pasta and allows for a broad range of flavor profiles.
Crunchy Mandarin Orange-Chicken Salad
In this dish, we opt for a crumbled block of ramen, the cheap, dry variety, not the fresh one found in the refrigerated section.
When broken down, these wavy and crunchy noodles serve as croutons, most deliciously.
Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables
This pasta salad swaps traditional mayo for a creamy blend of avocado and almond milk.
It’s a vibrant side dish that not only looks good but is also healthy to eat.
Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
This pasta salad variant uses zucchini noodles, making it even healthier.
The zucchini noodles are light and refreshing, especially when served chilled alongside smoky grilled corn.
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