Pasta salad recipes that are delicious, easy, filling, refreshing, and perfect for a light meal. If you want a quick and easy meal these pasta salads are it. Delicious dishes you can enjoy all year round. They take less time and are always a big hit. The best part is that most don’t require a lot of ingredients. Depending on the occasion you can make most of these salads a few hours before or the previous night.
There is a wide range of pasta salads, such as pesto pasta salads, BBQ pasta salads, and Taco pasta ideas.
They are packed with so much fresh flavor and they store so well. Pasta dishes that once you try you will have to make them over and over again. These recipes are versatile you can easily customize them to your liking. A wide variety to satisfy every craving.
Pair the salads with these BBQ side dishes and grilling recipes for a hearty meal
Let’s dive in!
Taco pasta salad
You can never go wrong with taco pasta salad. It’s hearty, delicious, and comes together so easily. It’s made with Mexican flavors, seasoned ground beef, crunchy nacho cheese chips, and a delicious creamy dressing! Perfect for a summer potluck or BBQ. If you hosting a large family gathering, this pasta is ideal. Picky eaters will love and enjoy every bite. Easy to customize with your preferred ingredients.
Lemon herb pasta salad with marinated chickpeas
This pasta salad is packed with tangy marinated chickpeas, chewy pasta, lots of herbs and garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and a handful of parmesan to top it off. It’s delicious, fresh, filling, and a crowd-pleaser. This combo compliments each other so well. Source Pinch of Yum
Creamy avocado pasta salad
Avocado lovers will be in heaven with this creamy avocado pasta salad. It will for sure impress everyone. Vibrant, healthy, creamy, fresh, and loaded with sweet corn, peas, cherry tomatoes, and creamy avocados.
Orzo salad with vegetables and feta
This Greek orzo salad is made with cucumbers, chickpeas, tomatoes, red onion, feta, and herbs, all tossed in a herb dressing. Simple, delicious, hearty, and tasty. It can be enjoyed as a main or side dish. The combination of crunchy vegetables, protein-packed chickpeas, and creamy feta cheese is unmatched. Everything pairs so well together. You can make a big batch to enjoy a family’s favorite pasta for the next few days.
Antipasto pasta salad
Simple to put together, flavorful, and hearty. Has marinated vegetables, cheeses, meats, and pasta all tossed in a homemade Italian dressing and served as a side dish or even as an entrée. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving. This allows all the flavors to blend. Pairs well with everything. Source Spend with Pennies
Pesto pasta salad
If you are looking for an easy potluck or picnic side dish this pesto pasta salad is a must. Has mozzarella cheese, olives, tomatoes, and pine nuts, all tossed with fresh basil pesto. It’s fresh and flavorful, and the whole thing can be put together in 20 minutes. Source Dinner at the zoo
Ham & pineapple pasta salad
This is a pasta recipe you can’t miss out on. Loaded with pineapple and veggies. An easy homemade pineapple dressing is tossed with pasta, ham, and bell peppers making it so delicious. Make it at least a couple of hours ahead of time to allow the flavors to have a chance to blend. Source Spend with Pennies
Pasta salad recipes: Mediterranean salad
This Mediterranean pasta salad is simply heavenly and a crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make and it’s tossed with a yummy lemon-herb vinaigrette. Great way to cool down on a hot summer day. Full of fresh veggies and olives, sprinkled with plenty of feta, and tossed in a zesty lemon-herb vinaigrette. Irresistibly delicious.
Greek chicken pasta salad
Everyone will love and enjoy this Greek chicken salad. Great for potlucks and summer parties. Source Budget Bytes
Bacon ranch pasta salad
Anything with bacon, count me in. The perfect side dish to serve at your next BBQ. It’s refreshing, easy to make, budget-friendly and crowd-pleasing. The combination of ranch flavor and bacon is unmatched. Source Eating on a dime
Simple grilled kale + red pepper Tuscan pasta salad
An easy satisfying dish. Can be enjoyed as a side dish or even as a meal as it is. The combination of pasta, sliced peppers, chopped kale, basil, oregano, pepperchinis, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, pine nuts, and mozzarella is unmatched. The textures and the flavors are amazing. This is a salad that everyone will enjoy. Source Half-baked harvest
Mexican street corn pasta
Street corn pasta is one you can’t resist when it comes to Mexican recipes. A family family-friendly dish. Easy to make and it’s bursting with amazing flavors. Charred corn and pasta are tossed in a creamy chili-lime dressing and topped with cotija cheese and crispy bacon. This salad is a must-try. Source Lemon Blossoms
Asparagus and arugula pasta salad
Everyone will be asking for seconds of this asparagus and arugula salad. It’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for a get-together. Toss everything together that is asparagus, arugula, lemons, feta cheese, and a bit of fresh basil and you are in for a treat. This salad is a total winner. Source Gimme some oven
5-ingredient strawberry caprese pasta salad
This is one of the yummiest summer pasta salad recipes. The perfect side for any grilling dish. It’s made with pasta, fresh strawberries, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic reduction. Just cook your noodles, then drain and immediately rinse them in cold water to stop cooking. Then toss the noodles with the berries, chopped basil, and diced mozzarella. And drizzle with as much reduced balsamic as you’d like. Source Gimme some oven
Vermicelli pasta salad
This is the kind of salad that you don’t expect any leftovers. Easy to make, delicious, and always a big hit. Source Taste of Home
Pizza pasta salad with Tortellini
Pizza Pasta Salad is like a party in your mouth. It blends your favorite pizza toppings and cheesy tortellini in a fabulously zesty and tangy summer pasta salad. You can be sure this salad will be on repeat all summer. Delicious, easy, refreshing, and summery. The homemade zesty Italian dressing is good, it brings out the flavors so well. Great as a make-ahead recipe and the leftovers are excellent for the next day. Source The slow-roasted Italian
Cobb pasta salad
This cobb pasta salad is loaded with juicy tomatoes, crisp bacon, avocados, and cheese tossed in a creamy dressing. It is a definite star dish at any picnic or potluck spread. The best part is you can make it prior and keep it in the fridge.
Deviled eggs pasta salad
You can never go wrong with deviled egg pasta salad. It comes together easily and is delicious and filling. The flavors are amazing. Source Country living
I hope you have enjoyed going through these crowd-pleasing pasta salad recipes. If you are hosting a BBQ, potluck, or any other gathering, you must try at least two pasta dishes. You can be assured that they will be a big hit.
