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When it comes to potlucks, picnics, and backyard BBQs, pasta salad is always the first thing people reach for. It’s easy to make ahead, travels well, and somehow goes with everything from burgers and grilled chicken to sandwiches and veggie trays. Whether you like yours creamy, tangy, packed with veggies, or loaded with bold flavors, there’s a pasta salad for every kind of summer spread.
This roundup brings together some of the best pasta salad recipes for warm-weather meals and casual gatherings. You’ll find everything from classic favorites to fun, flavor-packed twists that are perfect for feeding a crowd or keeping in the fridge for easy lunches all week.
Pasta Salad Recipes
Balsamic Strawberry Pasta Salad
This balsamic strawberry pasta salad is fresh, lightly sweet, and full of texture. With tender pasta, juicy strawberries, crunchy walnuts, feta, and leafy greens, it comes together quickly and works beautifully as a summer side or light main dish. This way for the recipe.
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Barbecue Ranch Pasta Salad
This barbecue ranch pasta salad is creamy, savory, and full of bold summer flavor. With tender pasta, smoky barbecue notes, and a ranch-style dressing, it works just as well for lunches as it does for potlucks and backyard cookouts. Here’s the recipe
Broccoli Pasta Salad
This broccoli pasta salad is bright, fresh, and full of crunchy vegetables, all tossed in a tangy tahini dressing. With no mayo and lots of flavor, it’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, and warm-weather meals. Try this recipe today!
Chicken Dinner Pasta Salad
This chicken dinner pasta salad has all the flavors of a cozy chicken dinner, but in a cool, make-ahead-friendly form. Using canned chicken keeps prep fast, and since it’s served cold, it’s a great option for hot summer days when turning on the oven feels like too much. Easy, filling, and weeknight-approved. Click here for the recipe
Chicken Pasta Salad
This chicken pasta salad is hearty, fresh, and full of flavor. With tender chicken and colorful veggies tossed through the pasta, it’s perfect for easy dinners, picnics, potlucks, or make-ahead lunches. This way for the recipe
Cold & Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad with Mayo, Tofu & Veggies
This creamy vegan pasta salad is filled with crunchy vegetables, tender pasta, and a light, plant-based dressing. With dill pickles, peas, corn, and peppers mixed in, it’s a fresh, crowd-friendly option that works for barbecues, pool days, or everyday meals. This recipe will become a new favorite
Cottage Cheese Pasta Salad
This cottage cheese pasta salad is light, creamy, and full of fresh flavor. With tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and a simple Italian-style dressing, it’s a protein-packed side that works beautifully for lunches, potlucks, or easy summer meals. This recipe is great!
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Creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad
This chicken macaroni pasta salad is a little more filling than the classic version everyone knows. Adding canned chicken turns it into a hearty side (or light meal), and the creamy dressing is one of those can’t-stop-eating situations. It’s easy to make ahead, travels well for potlucks, and tends to disappear fast with both kids and adults. This recipe tastes so good!
Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad
This creamy cucumber pasta salad turns a classic cucumber salad into a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish. With tender pasta, crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and sweet onion, it’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or easy summer dinners. You’ll love this recipe!
Easy Macaroni Salad
This classic macaroni salad is creamy, simple, and full of familiar flavor. With tender pasta and a traditional dressing, it’s the perfect side dish for summer barbecues, picnics, and family get-togethers. You’ll want to make this on repeat!
Greek Olive Pasta Salad
This Greek-style pasta salad is inspired by simple, fridge-friendly ingredients like bell peppers, olives, tomatoes, herbs, and cheese, all tossed with olive oil and seasoning. It’s fresh, flexible, and perfect for summer meals, picnics, or easy weeknight sides. This way for the recipe
Grinder Pasta Salad
This grinder pasta salad turns all the flavors of a classic Italian sandwich into a hearty, scoopable side. With savory meats, fresh veggies, cheese, and a creamy, light dressing, it’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or easy summer dinners. Click here for the recipe
Italian Dressing Pasta Salad
This Italian pasta salad is packed with bold, classic flavors like pepperoncini, Genoa salami, and mozzarella pearls, all tossed in a bright, zesty Italian dressing. It’s easy to make ahead, stays fresh and flavorful, and is perfect for potlucks, parties, or easy weeknight meals. This way for the recipe
Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad
This Mediterranean chickpea pasta salad is fresh, colorful, and easy to make. With crisp vegetables, tender pasta, chickpeas, and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing, it’s a light, satisfying option for lunches, picnics, or plant-based meals. Here’s the recipe
Poppy Seed Pasta Salad
This poppyseed pasta salad is packed with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and a lightly sweet, tangy poppyseed dressing. It’s a great choice for picnics, potlucks, and easy summer meals. This way for the recipe.
Quinoa Pasta Salad
This quinoa pasta salad is light, fresh, and full of protein and vegetables. Tossed in a bright Greek-style dressing, it’s a great summer side for picnics, barbecues, or easy lunches. This recipe tastes so good!
Taco Pasta Salad
This taco pasta salad combines seasoned meat, crisp vegetables, and a creamy dressing into one hearty, flavor-packed dish. It’s perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or anytime you want something fun and filling in pasta salad form. This way for the recipe.
Tasty Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe
This broccoli pasta salad is fresh, filling, and easy to make ahead. With tender pasta, crisp broccoli, and a simple, flexible dressing, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or anytime you need a dependable side dish that everyone will enjoy. Here’s the recipe
