Easy classic pasta salads are the trademark of summer BBQs, picnics, pool parties, and potlucks. This list of 30 pasta salads will keep your picnic table full all summer long.
I’m just going to put this out there now…with all of summer’s shenanigans and goings ons, this is a post you are going to want to bookmark/Pin/save and share for future reference. Break out the red-checked picnic tablecloth, it’s BBQ, picnic, and potluck pasta salad time!
Summer just wouldn’t be the same without a variety of pasta salads making the recipe rotation for summer party donations. Sure, it’s easy to pick up a pint-to-go from the deli counter, but pasta salads like this list of recipes are so much better and healthier than the pre-made glop.
Recently a few friends commented that whenever they think of FoodieCrush, they automatically think of fresh, healthy salads. As a pasta salad lover, I’m totally okay with that. They make the perfect accompaniment to simple summer dinners or meal prep for whole meal lunches all week long.
After taking a look at my salads and sides recipe archives to see if it was true, I realized that hot damn! I do have a lot of pasta salads shared here on the blog. But I’m not the only one. That’s why I’ve composed this list of 30 pasta salad recipe favorites from here on FoodieCrush and from other bloggers too.
So what are you waiting for? Put a stock pot of water on to boil (don’t forget to generously season with salt), and let’s pasta some salad.
1. Easy Italian Spaghetti Pasta Salad
FoodieCrush
Always a BBQ and potluck favorite, this Italian pasta salad puts the deli-case versions to shame. Loaded with pepperoni, cucumbers and olive, it’s all dressed with an easy homemade Italian dressing destined to become a classic.
2. Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
FoodieCrush
This 5-ingredient pasta salad mash-up has all of the flavors of traditional Caesar salad with the addition of kale and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes for an easy and healthy potluck pasta salad everyone goes ga-ga for.
3. Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables
FoodieCrush
This creamy pasta salad recipe skips the mayonnaise for a lush sauce made with almond milk and mashed avocado to make an easy grilled vegetable pasta salad you’ll happily eat guilt-free.
4. BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado
FoodieCrush
Loaded with healthy tomatoes, arugula, and avocado, plus crispy bacon, this BLT pasta salad is topped with a super simple-to-make Ranch-style dressing made with mayo and Greek yogurt. Healthier AND good!
5. Classic Shrimp Macaroni Salad Recipe
FoodieCrush
This is my mom’s recipe—and my husband’s favorite—for classic macaroni salad that’s been elevated with bay shrimp then dressed in a pickle-juice spiked mayo dressing.
6. Greek Pasta Salad with Cucumbers and Artichoke Hearts
FoodieCrush
If I were to make only one pasta salad, this one might be it. Oh who am I kidding? I can’t choose just one. But this Mediterranean flavor combo is definitely on my top 10, and because I usually have all the ingredients on hand, it’s like my right hand potluck man.
7. Creamy Tuscan Pasta Salad
FoodieCrush
Mama mia! This Tuscan pasta salad hits the motherload with three different salamis, provolone cheese and classic Italian white beans, with black olives, tomatoes, spinach, onion and egg noodles all tossed up with a creamy-style dressing. Twirl on.
8. Caprese Pasta Salad with Garlic Marinated Tomatoes
FoodieCrush
The epitome of summer, this caprese salad gets a kick with tomatoes marinated in a quick garlic and olive oil brine. This one is a definite fan favorite.
9. Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
FoodieCrush
Ramen ya! Crunchy ramen noodles and cabbage make this easy Asian-inspired salad with an addictive dressing an instant picnic and pot luck favorite.
10. Fresh And Easy Vietnamese Noodle Salad
FoodieCrush
There’s a reason this tangy Vietnamese rice noodle salad is one of the most popular recipes on the blog, because it packs a two for one punch: it’s EASY and DELICIOUS.
11. Macaroni Salad with Smoked Mozzarella and Proscuitto
FoodieCrush
This easy, tangy pasta salad mixes traditional macaroni salad with mozzarella cheese, prosciutto and zing pepperoncini peppers and capers to create a new family favorite potluck salad.
12. Street Corn Pasta Salad with Cilantro Pesto & Goat Cheese
Ambitious Kitchen
The perfect excuse to use up all that summer corn, the cilantro pesto sauce is deliciously addicting. Plus, goat cheese for the win.
13. Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Basil and Walnuts
Kitchen Konfidence
Littered with torn basil leaves this pasta salad recipe is infused with the flavors of a Spanish romesco sauce.
14. Green Goddess Pasta Salad
The Cookie Rookie
Keep it green! This goddess of pasta salads is loaded with asparagus, peas, chickpeas, pine nuts, and the ultimate green goddess dressing made with pesto. Lovely.
15. The Best Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad
Unicorns in the Kitchen
Hardly a unicorn at all, this shrimp pasta salad will be seen on your table over and over again.
16. Farfalle Pasta with Lemon and Basil
Foodness Gracious
Simple is often smartest, and this pasta salad keeps all your summertime activities in mind by not taking up time cooking all day in the kitchen.
17. Cowboy Pasta Salad
Carlsbad Cravings
Serve it warm or chilled, this tex mex salad will have everyone at the table saying YEE HAH!
18. Southwest Pasta Salad
Two Peas and Their Pod
I dare say, what pasta salad isn’t made better with avocado?
19. 5-Ingredient Strawberry Caprese Pasta Salad
Gimme Some Oven
So simple to make but your tasters will never know it. The balsamic glaze is like liquid gold and makes this salad a major winner.
20. Barbecue Chicken Layered Pasta Salad
Reluctant Entertainer
Just look at it! Serve this pasta salad in layers and you have a total summer party showstopper.
21. The Best 5-Ingredient Tortellini Pasta Salad
Sweet Phi
This 5 ingredient salad is proof in the pasta pudding that there’s no need to overdo it when you have flavors that speak for themselves.
22. Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Tuna
View from Great Island
This baby is potluck perfect or make it at the beginning of the week to eat as a meal in one all week long.
23. Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Foxes Love Lemons
This pasta salad foregoes the mayo-ey blend and uses goat cheese for all the flavor and creaminess. I can just taste the tang from here!
24. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
Heartbeet Kitchen
A modern take on some classic pasta salad flavors are what you’ll find in this divine pasta salad from one of my favorite food bloggers.
25. Southwestern Pasta Salad with Yogurt Salad Dressing
Cookin’ Canuck
Healthy + flavor is what this salad is all about, subbing in yogurt for mayo and all the benefits it delivers.
26. Fresh Corn and Tomato Caprese Salad
Completely Delicious
The only thing better than a summer caprese salad is summer corn. Let’s toast the marriage of both with this pasta salad.
27. Mexican Pasta Salad with Creamy Chipotle Lime Dressing
The Endless Meal
Loaded with creamy avocados, sweet corn, black beans, crunchy green peppers and red onions, this salad gets uses a non-traditional pasta for a healthy spin.
28. Pizza Pasta Salad
Recipe Girl
Who needs the crust when you can have all the fave pizza flavors in a cold pasta.
29. Spinach Pasta Salad
Barefeet in the Kitchen
Get your greens and eat them too in this supremely easy pasta salad.
30. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Spend With Pennies
There may be no better way to round out this round up than with a bowl full of pickle power with cheese in pasta. MY LOVE LANGUAGE.
And there you have it! Pasta salad to the people!
More Summer Recipe Round-Ups to Check Out Now
- 30 Healthy Summer Potluck Salads to Make in June
- 30 Days of Easy Grilling Recipes to Make in June
- 31 Days of Healthy Snack Recipes to Make Now
- 31 Days of Summer Produce Recipes to Make in August
- 31 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes to Make in July
- 31 Plant-Based Recipes That Aren’t Salads
- 33 Boozy Frozen Treats to Get You Through the Rest of Summer
Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.
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Phi - SweetPhi Blog says
Thank you so much for including my tortellini pasta salad!! I’ve gotten so many good ideas from this awesome list, going to go make a few different ones this weekend (it’s a great way for my son to get some veggies in)!
phyllis says
OMG — which recipes should I chose first: pasta salads or caprese ??? I want them all. Thank you and I am glad there is still summer time to make all.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush says
BOTH! Enjoy. Thanks Phyllis!