Pasta salads are the ultimate summer side dish. They’re cool, colorful, and full of flavor. This list of 23 pasta salad recipes includes everything from classic favorites to fresh new ideas, all made with bold ingredients and simple prep. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or easy family dinners, these salads are guaranteed to be a hit.
Greek Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad is a light and tasty option that highlights the best of Mediterranean flavors while incorporating satisfying pasta. This colorful salad features al dente pasta, fresh veggies, tangy feta cheese, briny olives, and a homemade zesty Greek dressing.
Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad
Looking to give your pasta salad a fun twist? You’ve got to try this pizza pasta salad recipe! It’s loaded with sliced pepperoni, fresh veggies, and a simple vinaigrette, and the best part is that it comes together in just a few minutes!
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Pizza Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
Italian Caprese Salad is a light and tasty summer pasta dish that everyone will love! Loaded with bold and tangy flavors, this pasta salad is guaranteed to impress, whether you’re serving it at home or taking it to picnics, potlucks, or barbecues.
Get the recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
Big Mac Pasta Salad
Big Mac Pasta Salad puts a playful spin on the classic burger that everyone will enjoy! This tasty dish mixes the familiar flavors of a Big Mac—like savory ground beef, crunchy pickles, fresh onions, and that signature sauce—with pasta, making it an ideal choice for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying dinner any night of the week.
Get the recipe: Big Mac Pasta Salad
Tuna Pesto Pasta Salad
This easy summer salad comes together with just five ingredients: store-bought pesto, bowtie pasta, red onion, tuna, and black olives. It’s a tasty option that requires hardly any work at all!
Get the recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta Salad
Orzo Pesto Salad
Orzo Pesto Salad is a breeze to whip up and super flavorful. This vibrant dish features orzo pasta tossed with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh basil, and a generous helping of pesto for a delightful flavor combo.
Get the recipe: Orzo Pesto Salad
Mortadella and Marinated Artichoke Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is packed with tasty Italian goodies like marinated artichokes, mortadella, fresh basil, and mozzarella, all mixed together with pasta and a light vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any gathering or just a casual meal at home!
Get the recipe: Mortadella and Marinated Artichoke Pasta Salad
Elote Pasta Salad
Elote Pasta Salad brings the deliciousness of Mexican street corn into a classic pasta dish. With tender pasta, grilled corn, a creamy dressing, and a dash of chili powder and Cotija cheese, it’s a fantastic mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors—ideal for potlucks and BBQs.
Get the recipe: Elote Pasta Salad
Vegan Pasta Salad
This vibrant Vegan Pasta Salad is super simple to make and features fresh veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers, along with chickpeas, olives, and a tangy Italian dressing.
Get the recipe: Vegan Pasta Salad
Antipasto Pasta Salad
This super simple and irresistible Antipasto Pasta Salad is a fantastic choice for potlucks or prepping meals ahead of time. It’s packed with flavor and sure to be a hit wherever you bring it!
Get the recipe: Antipasto Pasta Salad
Tortellini Salad with Avocado Dressing
Tortellini salad with avocado dressing is a great choice for any potluck. Loaded with black beans, fresh veggies, and pasta, all tossed in a creamy avocado dressing, this colorful dish is sure to impress everyone!
Get the recipe: Tortellini Salad with Avocado Dressing
Italian Pasta Salad
This cheerful Italian pasta salad is great for a quick dinner or as a side for picnics and barbecues. Made with easy-to-find pantry ingredients like pasta, vinegar, oil, and spices, it’s packed with flavor from jarred artichokes, roasted red peppers, olives, and spicy pepperoncini’s.
Get the recipe: Italian Pasta Salad
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
This classic Greek-inspired salad packs a punch of flavor in every single bite! If you’re throwing a summer barbecue, heading out for a picnic, or just need a light side dish, orzo pasta salad is a fantastic option.
Get the recipe: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
Seafood Pasta Salad
Indulge in the taste of the ocean with this tasty seafood pasta salad! Loaded with tender crab meat, juicy shrimp, and a mix of fresh veggies, it’s an elegant dish that’s great for those warm days.
Get the recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad
Thai Pasta Salad
Thai Pasta Salad makes for a fantastic side dish during the summer. It’s quick to prepare, super refreshing, and loaded with fresh veggies!
Get the recipe: Thai Pasta Salad
Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Elevate your picnic or BBQ menu with this Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. This delightful dish mixes plenty of chopped dill pickles with a creamy homemade dill pickle dressing and tender pasta.
Get the recipe: Creamy Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for summer gatherings, whether as a main course or a side. It brings together the flavors of pasta and classic chicken Caesar salad, complete with a homemade dressing and crunchy breadcrumbs.
Get the recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
This sun-dried tomato pasta salad is a breeze to make in just 30 minutes, and it’s full of bright, refreshing flavors that everyone will love.
Get the recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is a satisfying choice for a summer meal or side dish. This Mediterranean-inspired salad combines tender chicken with pasta for a satisfying dish!
Get the recipe: Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Fire Roasted Pepper & Bacon Spicy Pasta Salad
Looking to spice things up at your summer BBQ? Try this fire roasted pepper and bacon Spicy Pasta Salad that brings a zesty kick to your cookout.
Get the recipe: Fire Roasted Pepper & Bacon Spicy Pasta Salad
Pepperoncini Pasta Salad
This Pepperoncini Pasta Salad is packed with herby and tangy flavors that everyone will love! It’s great for summer picnics, potlucks, or even for lunch at school or work, and you can whip it up in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: Pepperoncini Pasta Salad
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Give your pasta salad a fun upgrade with this Kale Caesar Pasta Salad, which puts a tasty spin on the traditional Caesar. Loaded with crunchy kale, navy beans, homemade everything bagel croutons, Parmesan cheese, and zesty Caesar dressing, this dish perfectly blends hearty pasta with the classic Caesar flavors for a satisfying meal!
Get the recipe: Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a hit for summer get-togethers or a quick dinner during the week. Loaded with juicy chicken, crunchy bacon, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing, it’s a flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for potlucks or any night you want something tasty.
Get the recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
