These easy pasta salad recipes just might be the ultimate summertime food. They are fast, flexible, and they get more delicious by the day.
Making the best pasta salad is ticket to getting invited to the best summer parties! These pasta salad recipes will have party guests begging you to share the recipe!
Cold pasta salad is the ultimate American summer side dish. They are full of vibrant flavors, travel and pack well, and get better in the fridge every minute – marinating in delicious dressing.
Pasta salads are perfect for brunch, lunch, snacks, dinner, picnics, BBQ’s and potlucks.
Why Pasta Salad is the Best Summer Side Dish
- Make Ahead – It’s even better on the second day after it marinates. Make it ahead to enjoy your day!
- Keeps Well – Non-mayonnaise based pasta salads are great for hot summer days.
The Best Pasta Salad Recipes
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This tortellini pasta salad is jam packed with zesty Mediterranean flavors. A homemade Greek dressing perfectly complements the textural pasta and veggies in this amazing cold side dish!
Mexican Pasta Salad
Easy 20 minute Mexican Pasta Salad – a light, and delicious pasta salad recipe makes the perfect side dish or stand alone dinner.
I turned my favorite Cilantro Lime Dressing into a Mexican Pasta Salad recipe that is light, refreshing and has just enough kick!
Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian Pasta Salad recipe is quick and easy, with just 15 minutes hands on time.
Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe – the perfect summer side dish that takes very little time and effort and is light and refreshing!
Seafood Pasta Salad
A light and refreshing Seafood Pasta Salad recipe for a lunch you can enjoy all week or side dish for get togethers!
This Shrimp Pasta Salad is so easy and uses just a few ingredients. It’s the ultimate summer pasta salad!
Basil Lemon Pasta Salad
Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing alternative to classic pasta salads. It’s full of fresh flavor and is made in minutes with a few simple ingredients.
Lemon basil recipes are perfect for spring and summer get togethers or for a light and refreshing lunch or dinner. This lemon pasta salad is no exception! It’s perfect for picnics and parties.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
A light, refreshing pasta salad recipe, perfect for summer picnics and outings.
This bow tie pasta salad has the most amazing pasta salad dressing made with lemon and basil. It’s always a crowd pleaser!
Incredible Veggie Pasta Salad
This veggie pasta salad recipe is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors!
Overflowing with nutrients thanks to an array of fresh sauteed veggies, it’s a vegetarian pasta salad side dish you can feel good about!
The Best Spaghetti Salad
Spaghetti salad is an incredibly flexible, fast pasta salad recipe that is such a crowd pleaser!
Tossed in a savory homemade Italian dressing, this cold spaghetti salad recipe is a keeper. It’s a recipe your friends and family will ask you to bring again and again.
Macaroni Salad
This classic macaroni salad is the ultimate summer side dish! With a luxuriously creamy dressing and an array of bright and beautiful veggies, this dish is full of flavor.
Pasta Salad Dressings
Vinaigrettes – Vinaigrettes are preferred for hot, summer days. They’re lighter and keep well. They are made with a blend of oil and choice of vinegar blended with herbs and spices. They’re versatile and easily customizable.
Creamy Dressings – Mayonnaise, sour cream and yogurt based recipes for a creamy consistency. These are best chilled.
Salads Dressings & Soups
Pasta Salad Dressing
Learn how to make your own versatile pasta salad dressing in just a couple minutes. You can mix up this easily adaptable recipe with your favorite oils, vinegars, and spices and herbs!
3 mins
Tips for the Best Pasta Salads
- Use a Large Pot – A large pot of salty water gives noodles plenty of space to separate and cook properly rather than clump.
- Prepare Noodles al dente – Firm pasta will yield the best texture for pasta salad.
- Shock Pasta – Rinse pasta in cold water to stop it from cooking. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy when it marinates with dressing.
Tip
Cooking and Baking Tips, Substitutions & Guides
How to Stop Water from Boiling Over
There’s an old saying: A watched pot never boils. However, if you’ve spent any time in the kitchen, you know this phrase isn’t entirely true! Learn how to stop water from boiling over with a few simple tips and tricks.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container refrigerated, up to 1 week.
Refresh Pasta Salad
If the pasta is dry, add more dressing and stir or shake. You can also leave a little water when draining the pasta to keep it moist and use less dressing.
These all look great – I can’t wait to give each one a try. Thanks so much for sharing!
This is the perfect list to have for summer! I love pasta salad!! Will be making all of these on the list but starting with spaghetti salad.
Enjoy!
I am so happy I found this. I feel like I am always looking for a pasta salad recipe last minute. Thank you!
Looking forward to working my way through this collection of pasta salads. My favorite during summertime!