This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Cool and refreshing pasta salads can take on a variety of flavor profiles so there is sure to be something for everyone in this collection of our favorite pasta salad recipes!!
More Collections: Grilled Dinner Ideas, Best Green Salads, Easy Salad Recipes
why we love pasta salads
Some pastas can stand alone as their own dishes, but many times pasta salad recipes are served as a side to the main dish.
What’s to love:
- Hearty enough for a meal. While pasta salads are typically a pairing, these are hearty enough to be a main meal.
- Flavor variety. Pasta is a perfect vehicle for a wide array of flavors and can accompany many different cuisines. You’ll love the options!
- It gets better with age. Many salads benefit from being in the fridge for a couple of hours. This allows the flavors to meld, making these perfect for prepping ahead of time.
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Herbs. Fresh herbs are best and could be considered your very own secret ingredient! Try fresh parsley, chives, dill, mint, basil, cilantro, and Italian parsley. Add them to the salad fairly close to when you plan to serve it. Add as little or as much as you like.
- Cheese. Cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta feta, manouri, feta, parmesan cheese, cheddar, fresh chèvre, feta cheese, or ricotta salata work well in pasta salads. Stay away from soft and gooey cheeses like Brie and Camembert.
- Veggies. If you’re not a fan of uncooked vegetables in your pasta, blanch, sauté, or roast them to soften first. Vegetables should not be cut larger than the pasta.
- Some of our favorite add-ins to serve with pasta are onions, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, red onion, black olives, broccoli, zucchini or other squash, Kalamata olives, and tomatoes.
- Ratio. Keep a good balance between all the ingredients. As you add or swap ingredients, pasta should match the combined mix-ins at a 1:1 ratio.
For Perfect Pasta
- Pasta shape. Choose shapes that can be stabbed, rather than twirled, with a fork. Elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, rotelli (wagon wheel), fusilli, farfalle (bowtie), shell, or even ditalini are all great choices for salads.
- Don’t under or overcook pasta. The boil time is determined by the type of pasta used. Check the package instructions for timing. Ideally, you want al dente. It should be firm yet tender.
- Season the pasta while it is boiling. Cold pasta salad requires a little more seasoning or pasta salad dressing than when it’s served warm.
- Rinsing. The only time you should ever drain and rinse your pasta with cold water is when you are going to use it in a cold dish like a pasta salad. Toss the pasta in a bit of olive oil and allow it to cool on a baking sheet.
Best Pasta Salad Recipes
Pasta salads take on many different tastes and textures and are perfect for potlucks! Whether you serve these pasta salads as a side or in a large bowl as the entire meal, there are plenty of tasty options to choose from. They also transport easily making them picnic perfect!
Our top 8 favorite recipes to serve with pasta salads are:
- Pulled Pork Recipe
- Ranch Burgers
- Dr. Pepper Ribs
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Turkey Burger Recipe
- Crack Chicken
- Steak Marinade
- Chicken Salad
1 Pasta Salad Recipe
2 Macaroni Salad
3 Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
4 Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
5 Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
6 Chicken Pasta Salad
7 Asian Noodle Salad Recipe
8 Cashew Chicken Salad Recipe
9 Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
10 Asian Pasta Salad recipe
11 Chinese Pasta Salad Recipe
12 Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad recipe
13 Layered Pasta Salad Recipe
14 Spinach Tortellini Salad Recipe
15 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy Peasy Pasta
There are so many pasta salad variations but we always seem to come back to this classic Easy Pasta Salad Recipe.
This salad can be customized by adding any ingredients and can easily be assembled several days in advance for any event or potluck.
Here is the recipe:
10+ Pasta Salad Recipes
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (4 cups) colored rotini pasta (fusilli, farfalle, and penne work too) cooked
- ½ cup diced black olives
- ½ cup cubed Colby Jack cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices
- ¾-1 cup Italian dressing
Optional Mix-Ins
- chopped cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped peppers, ham cubes, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts
Instructions
- Cook pasta per directions on box or package then drain and rinse with cold water.
- Combine pasta, olives, cheese, and pepperoni in a large bowl.
- Add half of the Italian dressing to the pasta mixture and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Stir in additional dressing to taste before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Perfect Pasta salads for any occasion!
Pasta salads make fabulous sides or main dishes any time of the year. Check out our collections for more delightful salads to try!
More Collections: Healthy Pasta Recipes, Spring Salad Ideas, Winter Salad Recipes
Im in charge of food at girls camp this year and I’ll be making the Easy Pasta Salad. It really is easy and one of my favorites!
I make your easy pasta salad all the time!! Whenever we are invited to a picnic, bbq, gathering, it’s what I bring. These all look so good!
A variety of the best pastas that can be served all year long!