Say Goodbye to Boring Meals with These 23 Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salads are the star of summer meals with their delicious mix of flavors and textures. With these 23 pasta salad recipes, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to whip up dishes that are as colorful as they are wholesome and hearty. From classic favorites to creative spins, each recipe offers bold flavor and interesting ingredients. Whether you’re heading out for a picnic, hosting a potluck, or attending a laid-back family dinner, these pasta salads will have everyone wanting seconds.

Greek Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta salad with feta, cucumbers, and oregano. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

A bowl of pasta salad with deli meat, tomatoes, cheese, tomatoes, black olives. — Image Credit: A Taste for Travel

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

A bowl of pasta salad with tomatoes and basil. — Image Credit: Busy Family Recipes

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

A bowl of pasta salad with tomatoes, ground beef, lettuce, and orange-colored big mac sauce. — Image Credit: Busy Family Recipes

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

Three bowls of pasta topped with black olives and basil. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

A bowl of orzo salad with tomatoes. — Image Credit: Hello Frozen Bananas

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

A bowl of pasta salad with mortadella.. — Image Credit: Carolyn's Cooking

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

A bowl of pasta salad with corn, cheese, and cilantro. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

A bowl of pasta salad with vegetables. — Image Credit: My Quiet Kitchen

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

A bowl of pasta salad with pepperoni, mozzarella balls, tomatoes, and black olives. — Image Credit: Gypsy Plate

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

Pasta salad in a bowl with sliced meat, tomatoes, balls of cheese, and basil leaves. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

A bowl of orzo salad with vegetables. — Image Credit: Fun Food Frolic

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

Pasta salad with shrimp and peas in a bowl. — Image Credit: xoxobella

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

A bowl of pasta salad with dill. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

A bowl of pasta salad with chicken, croutons, lettuce, and parmesan cheese. — Image Credit: A Full Living

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

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta salad with chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, and herbs. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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

Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta salad with cucumber, tomatoes, black olives, and feta cheese. — Image Credit: The Clean Eating Couple

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

Pasta salad with bacon and red peppers. — Image Credit: Whole Made Living

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

A bowl of pasta salad with kale and croutons. — Image Credit: Pipercooks

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