Best Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta Salads are one of my favorite recipes to make during the warm summer months. Primarily because I’m a huge pasta lover, but also because I love the combination of chilled pasta mixed with veggies and covered in a tangy vinaigrette dressing. These pasta salad ideas are extremely versatile, easy to make, and they hold up very well in the fridge which makes them perfect for leftovers. And they make pretty large servings, so they’re great for parties, potlucks, and cookouts!

These cold salad ideas are made with a range of typical pasta types, as well as orzo, cous cous, and noodles. So every pasta gets its time to shine! Short pasta shapes work best, but they’re pretty interchangeable in these salads, so don’t be shy!

Here I’ve gathered 23 of the Best Pasta Salad recipes for you to enjoy at your next family gathering, or simply all by yourself – no judgement here. ;-)

1. Pasta Salad

When I talk about pasta salads, this classic pasta salad recipe is what I’m thinking of! It’s filled with fresh veggies and a zesty Italian dressing. Ideal for any family gathering or cookout, it induces satisfied smiles and enthusiastic “yums” every time!

2. Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad

This summer vegetable pasta salad is the perfect recipe to enjoy during the warm summer months. It includes lots of colorful veggies and a tangy homemade vinaigrette dressing!

3. Orzo Pasta Salad

This orzo salad is a bright and flavorful delight for the taste buds! A mix of orzo, bell peppers, tomatoes, and dried cranberries all pop thanks to my homemade vinaigrette.

4. Tomato MOzzarella Pasta Salad

Who knew it was this easy to make your own version of a Caprese salad with this tomato mozzarella pasta salad recipe! This pasta salad is super simple to make and easy to customize to make it your own.

5. Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad

Lemony cucumber couscous salad is a simple, delicious summer salad made with just a few easy ingredients like fresh lemon and english cucumber and it stays good in the fridge for days!

6. Tortellini Salad

This tortellini pasta salad is one of our favorite new additions to our pasta salad line up! The vibrant and fresh flavors from the vegetables and Italian dressing match perfectly with the Tortellini pasta.

7. Tuna Pasta Salad

Canned tuna is a wonderfully cheap lunch ingredient, and it’s the star of this creamy tuna pasta salad recipe. Red onion, peas, and mini shells combine beautifully with the tangy dressing!

8. Summer Sweet Corn Salad

Fresh sweet corn on the cob is one of the best parts about summer. Take advantage of the season and make this summer sweet corn salad with a simple, and fresh lemon vinaigrette.

9. Macaroni Salad

You can’t have a potluck or a cookout without a big bowl of macaroni salad! This one is a classic summer pasta salad recipe.

10. BLT Pasta Salad

A big bowl of this bacon, lettuce, and tomato pasta salad is always a hit at potlucks. The creamy ranch pasta salad dressing is my favorite part of this simple recipe!

11. Cold Peanut Noodle Salad

This cold peanut noodle salad is finger-licking good thanks to the creamy and tangy peanut lime dressing that goes on top.

12. Zucchini and Orzo Salad

A punchy chimichurri sauce livens up this simple zucchini orzo salad. Served cold, it’s the perfect lunch or side dish!

13. Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette

Calling all broccoli lovers! This easy and delicious broccoli pasta salad features a homemade tomato vinaigrette dressing and lots of creamy feta cheese.

14. Pizza Pasta Salad

You can easily reuse your leftover pizza toppings by making this simple pizza pasta salad. Mix and match with your favorite toppings to make it your own and top it off with a simple Italian dressing.

15. Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

Turn your pasta salad into a full meal with this Greek chicken pasta salad recipe. The chicken gets marinated in half of the tangy dressing, giving it an extra boost of flavor!

16. Big Kale Pasta Salad

This big kale pasta salad includes lots of fresh kale massaged with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing, pasta, chickpeas and fresh vegetables to cover all the bases!

17. Sweep The Kitchen Pasta Salad

Got some leftover veggies in the fridge? Give this Sweep The Kitchen pasta salad a try! Use what you already have available and add a simple dressing or diced chicken if you want to make it a complete meal!

18. Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

A little pasta, a lot of vegetables and maybe some beans make the best combos for pasta salads. This Italian orzo salad is no exception. It’s perfect as a side dish and also great as a light meal.

19. Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Grilled vegetables have a ton of flavor, making this grilled vegetable pasta salad even more delicious. Serve it with some balsamic vinaigrette and it makes the perfect side dish for BBQs and cookouts!

20. Spinach and Orzo Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

This simple spinach and orzo salad packs in a lot of flavor from the sun dried tomatoes, creamy feta cheese and the homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It works great as a light lunch or the perfect side to those summer BBQ cookouts!

21. Lemon Dill Greek Pasta Salad

Fresh, zesty, and easy on the budget, this cucumber dill pasta salad is quick to whip up, so lunch will be ready fast. The creamy lemon dill dressing is irresistible!

22. Butternut Squash Pasta Salad

I usually save this butternut pasta salad for the fall, when fresh butternut squash is in season and readily available at the market. Paired with sage, dried cranberries, and Parmesan, it has a cozy autumn flavor. I like orecchiette pasta for this salad!

23. Pepperoni Pasta Salad

This pasta salad with pepperoni is heavy on the salad side, with plenty of fresh greens and vegetables in the mix. It’s a great option when I want a relatively healthy lunch that helps me clear out my fridge!