From potlucks and picnics to weeknight dinners and make-ahead lunches, pasta salads are a staple in my kitchen all year long. They’re easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether you’re craving something creamy and classic or bold with a little Southern flair, this collection has a recipe for every table and every gathering.
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Why Everyone Loves Pasta Salad!
As soon as the weather starts to warm up, I find myself reaching for pasta salad. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and just right for whatever flavors I’m craving that week. Kinda like potato salad’s laid-back cousin, pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple side. And if you add a little grilled chicken or your favorite protein, it turns into a meal all on its own.
Tips For Making The Best Pasta Salads
- Salt the pasta water: It’s the first layer of flavor—and it really does make a difference.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Aim for al dente so the pasta holds its shape and doesn’t get mushy once it’s dressed.
- Rinse the pasta (sometimes): If your recipe uses a vinaigrette or oil-based dressing, give the pasta a quick rinse to cool it down and stop the cooking. For creamy dressings, skip the rinse so the sauce sticks better.
- Toss the pasta while it’s slightly warm: This helps it absorb the dressing better, especially if you’re using olive oil or vinegar-based blends.
- Let it chill before serving: Pasta salads need time to rest—about 1–2 hours in the fridge lets the flavors come together.
- Add delicate ingredients last: Things like fresh herbs, cheese, or avocado should go in right before serving to stay bright and fresh.
Spaghetti Salad
Easy-to-make Spaghetti Salad is the perfect side dish for a party, potluck, or when you’re feeding a crowd. Tender pasta, pepperoni, and fresh veggies, tossed in a delicious homemade dressing is fantastic to serve any time of the year!
Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad
Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and herbs tossed in a light creamy dressing with pasta make a salad that’s absolutely irresistible! Creamy Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad is not only easy to make but it’s colorful, cool, and does double duty as a side dish or salad. Don’t have cucumbers try using bell peppers!
Caprese Pasta Salad (Fresh and Easy)
This fresh and easy salad combines all the classic flavors of a Caprese Salad with pasta! Perfect for a simple family meal or when feeding a crowd this make-ahead recipe for the best Caprese Pasta Salad delivers a burst of flavor everyone will love. Add some salami and use a fun pasta shape to make it your own!
Pesto Pasta Salad With Tomatoes And Mozzarella
Tender pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil all tossed in a “short-cut” pesto sauce make a salad that is seriously delicious! This easy pasta salad recipe is perfect for parties, cookouts, potlucks, and a must-make when you’re feeding a crowd.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad combines crispy bacon, tender pasta, sharp cheese, sweet peas, and a cool ranch dressing to create the BEST pasta salad ever! You can never have too many salad recipes in your recipe box, and this one is an all-time favorite.
BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad
Inspired by a classic BLT sandwich, this pasta salad is outrageously good with the addition of cheese tortellini and a light creamy dressing! This easy to make recipe is just the thing for any cookout, potluck, or family gathering.
Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
Ripe, juicy strawberries, tender pasta twirls, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a bright dressing, make a fresh, easy-to-make salad that's like a pop of summer in every bite.
Greek Pasta Salad (Quick And Easy)
This Greek-inspired pasta salad is full of Mediterranean flavors like feta, black olives, and parsley. It comes together in no time thanks to a store-bought shortcut (salad dressings)! It’s a fresh, colorful salad that’s perfect for serving when you’re feeding a crowd yet simple enough to make for a weeknight meal.
Easy Penne Pasta Salad
Juicy tomatoes, fresh spinach, sweet Vidalia onions, and olives are tossed with whole wheat pasta in a light lemon dressing to make the perfect pasta salad! This extra-easy recipe is excellent for customizing with your favorite ingredients like parmesan cheese and your favorite Italian dressing. It will become your go-to when you need a fast, delicious side dish.
Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
The perfect combination of deviled eggs, tender macaroni, celery, onion, and bacon, tossed in a creamy dressing, take pasta salad to a delicious new level! Deviled Egg Pasta Salad is a favorite for cookouts and summer parties, and a must for any family get-together.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Juicy tomatoes and cucumbers along with salty olives, red onion, tender pasta, and spinach are tossed together with creamy feta cheese in a homemade dressing for a crave-able salad that’s so easy to make! You can also make it with gluten-free pasta too!
Asparagus Pea Pasta Salad
Asparagus Pea Pasta Salad, with its tender pasta, crunchy asparagus, and sweet peas all tossed in a zesty lemon dressing, is the perfect easy dish for any day of the week. This delicious make-ahead pasta salad with spring veggies is also great for dining outdoors, picnics, and potlucks!
Broccoli Orzo Pasta Salad
Broccoli Pasta Salad is bright, fresh and, loaded with veggies! This simple to make side dish is also great to enjoy as a light lunch. It's the perfect recipe to serve at your next cookout, picnic, or potluck and will be the first dish to go when you're feeding a crowd.
Tools For Making The Best Pasta Salad
I have always found that having good tools makes your food come out even better.
Best Tools For Making Pasta Salad
- Salad Bowl
- Salad Serving Bowls
- Wood Salad Servers
- Olive Oil Sprayer
- Vegetable Chopper
- Pasta Colander
- Fruit and Veggie Washer
- 4 in 1 Food Strainer
Let’s Talk Pasta Salad: FAQs + Helpful Tips
What type of pasta should I use? Common choices include rotini, fusilli, farfalle (bowtie), and penne because their shapes hold the dressing and other ingredients well.
How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy? This is a common concern. It’s recommended to cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite) and then rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process immediately.
What kind of dressing should I use? The choice of dressing can make a big difference in flavor. Depending on the other ingredients, my favorites are a creamy dressing (like mayonnaise-based) or a vinaigrette (like Italian or balsamic).
How can I keep the pasta salad from drying out? A common tip is to toss the pasta with a little bit of olive oil before adding other ingredients and dressing, and then let it chill in the refrigerator for a while to allow the flavors to meld together.
What are some good add-ins for pasta salad? Popular add-ins include vegetables (like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers), cheese (like feta or mozzarella), proteins (like chicken, ham, or beans), and fresh herbs (like basil or parsley).
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