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Kiss bland pasta salad goodbye with this zippy, tangy and sweet balsamic chicken pasta salad. Each bite is crammed full of bacony, cheesy flavor, and the bow ties and chicken will fill you right up.
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This tart, refreshing salad is a big hit in my home. All the tasty toppings—including red onions, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing—give it extra interest. —Judy Roberts, Las Vegas, Nevada
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This classic macaroni salad recipe is a refreshingly light take on an all-time favorite. It’s perfect for a crowd-pleasing fast weeknight dinner or a festive weekend barbecue. —Dorothy Bayes, Sardis, Ohio
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This easy Caprese pasta salad is always a favorite, especially when summer tomatoes are at their peak. It comes together quickly, but if you can make it ahead of time, the flavors seem to get better after it’s chilled for a few hours. —Debby Harden, Lansing, Michigan
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A tangy ranch-mayo dressing ties together sweet fruit, savory chicken and buttery cashews in this chicken cashew pasta salad, an upgraded take on a potluck classic.
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Classic macaroni salad is a potluck staple. It can be made ahead, transports easily and is the perfect side for grilled meats and sandwiches. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Bacon macaroni salad is a simple side packed with crispy bacon, tender pasta and fresh veggies tossed in a tangy mayonnaise-based dressing.
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This macaroni salad mixes the cooked egg yolks into the mayonnaise dressing to give it that classic deviled egg taste. If other veggies you like, such as sweet red pepper or carrots, are in your macaroni salad feel free to stir them in. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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I came up with this recipe to show appreciation to all the teachers at my son’s school. The dish had to be as special as the teachers, who always go the extra mile for their students. I think this salad did the trick! It’s hearty, earthy, sweet and loaded with nothing but good stuff. —Ramya Ramamurthy, Fremont, California
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With its delicious mix of crunchy peanuts, tangy dried cranberries and mandarin oranges, this colorful Asian chicken salad is a definite crowd-pleaser. Water chestnuts and a teriyaki dressing give this main dish its Asian flare. —Carolee Ewell, Santaquin, Utah
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My friend Peggy brought this coleslaw to one of our picnics, and everyone liked it so much, we all had to have the recipe. —Sandra Matteson, Westhope, North Dakota
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A bold homemade dressing gives this Greek tortellini salad a burst of flavor. Watch it disappear from your buffet table. If you do have leftovers, stir in sliced grilled steak for an easy dinner the next day. —Sue Braunschweig, Delafield, Wisconsin
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Pack this classic salad for a picnic or workplace lunch. For best results, allow the salad to sit in the fridge overnight for flavors to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Here’s a one-of-a-kind pasta salad that combines tender chicken, sweet apricots and crunchy vegetables. Plus, the lemony dressing can’t be beat. —Susan Voigt, Plymouth, Minnesota
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This salad was served at a dear friend’s baby shower by a health-conscious friend, who suggested the dressing be prepared with low-fat or fat-free ingredients. Either way, the creamy dressing has plenty of garlic flavor and coats the pasta, romaine and croutons nicely. —Tammy Steenbock, Sembach Air Base, Germany
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Bow tie pasta with strawberries makes a refreshing salad, especially with a little chopped mint. I multiply it for brunches, potlucks, even tailgates. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
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Spinach orzo salad combines tender pasta, wilted spinach and protein-packed chickpeas in a bright lemon dressing that tastes even better the next day.
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A sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don’t like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida
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Who says summer meals have to be complicated? We love this tangy, simple and tasty salad on warm summer nights. Add a cold glass of lemonade or iced tea and dinner couldn’t be easier. —Samantha Vicars, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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I have always loved Spam, so I decided to combine it with pineapple to make this Polynesian-inspired macaroni salad recipe. It reminds me of vacationing in Hawaii. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this summer orzo salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, so feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Our tri-color pasta salad is bursting with summer flavors and is easy to pull off for your next cookout. Grocery store pasta salad has nothing on this recipe.
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Pasta provides a base for this tongue-tingling make-ahead salad. It has lots of fresh and satisfying ingredients topped with a flavorful dressing. This pasta salad is terrific to serve to company or take to a potluck. — Joyce McLennan, Algonac, Michigan
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This salad is an all-time favorite. I reach for the recipe whenever I need a dish to pass. It is easy to make, can be assembled ahead of time and looks marvelous. —Noreen Meyer, Madison, Wisconsin
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I “invented” this salad as I went along…it’s a combination of various pasta salad recipes I’d seen. It can be served as a side dish, of course. In summer, however, my husband doesn’t care for hot meals, so I make it as a main dish. We’re recent city transplants with two young children, ages 6 and 3.
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I created this southwestern pasta salad for a friend who owns a catering business. I was told it was a hit at her events and it’s now among the most-requested dishes. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
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This Filipino macaroni salad is always on the buffet table at family parties. It’s such a sweet and unique combination of flavors that you almost forget it’s not a dessert! Make it even sweeter by adding 3/4 cup of kaong (the sugar palm fruit used in halo-halo) or 3/4 cup of nata de coco. Some of my family members add a can of sweet corn too. —Angelica Cataldo, Orlando, Florida
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I started making this salad because it’s loaded with peppers, my husband’s favorite. Don’t be surprised when there are no leftovers to take home after the family reunion, picnic or church potluck. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
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This refreshing salad is always well received, especially in summer. My mother said the recipe just “evolved”, because she kept adding ingredients until it tasted right. It really does have great flavor!
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A blend of complimentary flavors from traditional ingredients, this Greek pasta salad gets topped with a tangy dressing to pull it all together. Twist the recipe by adding all but 3 tablespoons of the feta cheese into the dressing and whisk until well blended. Garnish the salad with stuffed grape leaf pieces (Dolma) over the top or along the edges for a decorative design. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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When we grill, my mother asks me to make this creamy macaroni salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
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Elbow macaroni, shrimp, and crunchy veggies like celery, sweet red pepper and onion get covered in a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and yogurt. It’s the perfect go-to when you’re looking for something light and tasty. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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This hearty pasta salad is sure to please appetites of all ages—and it serves a lot of folks! —LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
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I had to figure out how to make Hawaiian macaroni salad at home because my husband was getting tired of ordering enough for our whole family from a local restaurant. Sometimes I use green onions and serve the salad with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. —Blaine Kahle, Florence, Oregon
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This Greek rotini pasta salad packs a punch of flavor thanks to a homemade lemon vinaigrette, feta, tomatoes and red pepper. It will be the talk of the picnic table!
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My family loves this savory taco pasta salad. Serve taco or corn chips on the side, and you have a complete meal. —Gert Rosenau, Pewaukee, WI
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After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
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Enjoy this easy twist on macaroni salad for a lunchtime change of pace. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pasta Salad FAQ
How do you make pasta salad not soggy?
To avoid soggy pasta salad, top it with only half of the dressing called for, and serve immediately after fully coating the pasta with the rest of the dressing.
Should you rinse pasta for pasta salad?
Yes, rinsing the cooked pasta in warm or cool water helps to lower the temperature of the pasta. This stops it from continuing to cook, so it will be perfectly al dente. No one wants overcooked or mushy pasta.
Should pasta salad be served cold or warm?
Pasta salad can be served chilled or at room temperature. It should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. If the day’s temperature exceeds 90°F, it shouldn’t sit out for more than one hour.
How long is pasta salad good for in the fridge?
How quickly pasta salad spoils depends on the specific ingredients it uses and whether it was properly stored. In general, leftover pasta salad should be consumed within four days.
What goes with pasta salad?
Pasta salad is a classic summer picnic food, so it goes well with all kinds of grilled meats, barbecue foods or burgers. You can also enjoy it year-round alongside a protein or even served over mixed greens to add some fiber.
Dining and Cooking