Think about your favorite summer foods. You know, the ones that are always served at backyard cookouts. Pasta salad made the cut, right? Because we don’t know about you, but we’d eat pasta salad at just about every meal, and there’s just something particularly satisfying about seeing it served in summer alongside food straight from the grill. Despite the fact that pasta is a comfort food and can feel heavy, it seems to take on a much lighter and more refreshing quality during the summer months.
Of course, with pasta salad being such a staple of summer parties, you might show up to a friend’s fete and find you’ve brought the same dish as another partygoer. Since traditional pasta salad doesn’t have too many variations, that means everyone at the party is getting a double dose of the same old, same old.
Which is precisely why we put together this list of exciting pasta salad recipes! They aren’t just standard side dishes — they’re destined to become the star of any summer party.
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15-Minute BLT Pasta Salad
15-Minute BLT Pasta Salad
It’s like a BLT in a bowl… with pasta. Honestly, how could you possibly go wrong? Busy Budgeter’s genius recipe will make you a true believer in this combo — including, yes, putting lettuce in your pasta. It’s a risk worth taking, promise.
Get the recipe from Busy Budgeter.
Asian Pasta Salad
Asian Pasta Salad
You won’t be able to decide which is the most addictive part of this Asian pasta salad from Valerie’s Kitchen — the pleasantly surprising crunchy texture, or the sesame-soy dressing that everyone at the party will be begging you for.
Get the recipe from Valerie’s Kitchen.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken, bacon, cheese, and pasta tossed in ranch dressing… this recipe from Dinner then Dessert doesn’t need much selling, does it? But in case you need more convincing, consider that it’s also crazy-easy to toss together.
Get the recipe from Dinner Then Dessert.
Cowboy Pasta Salad
Cowboy Pasta Salad
If you’re craving something hearty with a little zing to it, look no further than Carlsbad Cravings’ “cowboy” pasta salad. It’ll fill you up with juicy ground beef, sweet corn, black beans, bacon, tomatoes, and cheese. Oh, and did we mention it’s smothered in a tangy, creamy southwest barbecue sauce that is to-die-for?
Get the recipe from Carlsbad Cravings.
Crab Pasta Salad
Crab Pasta Salad
Be the superhero of any summer party when you surprise partygoers with a true treat — pasta salad featuring chunks of crab meat. This recipe from Wine and Glue uses imitation crab, but you could always swap it out for the real stuff if you’re feeling generous.
Get the recipe from Crab pasta salad.
Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad
Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad
You guys. By combining two beloved summer side dishes — pasta salad and deviled eggs — Trial and Eater may have stumbled upon true culinary genius. And don’t worry; it’s light on the mayo, so it won’t feel too heavy (sounds like a good excuse for seconds to us!).
Get the recipe from Trial and Eater.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Raise your hand if you’ll eat just about anything that has to do with dill pickles (*waves hand wildly in air*). There’s no way that dill pickle pasta salad from Spend with Pennies won’t be the big hit of whatever party you bring it to. It’s especially bound to impress little ones.
Get the recipe from Dill pickle pasta salad.
Easy and Delicious Tuna Pasta Salad
Easy and Delicious Tuna Pasta Salad
If you love tuna salad just as much as you love pasta salad, meet Taste Better from Scratch’s tuna pasta salad. This dish boasts all the things you love and expect from both of those beloved sides, with the added bonus of healthy Greek yogurt.
Get the recipe from Tastes Better from Scratch.
Lemon Herb Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Lemon Herb Mediterranean Pasta Salad
When you want to whip up something simple yet sophisticated, turn to Cafe Delites’ lemon herb Mediterranean pasta salad. Light and summery, it’s chock-full of fresh ingredients like cucumbers, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers and more.
Get the recipe from Café Delites.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Mexican street corn might be one of the greatest gifts ever given to foodies, so it stands to reason Mexican street corn pasta salad is a veritable dream come true. Let’s Dish came up with this festive recipe, dubbing it the “best pasta salad” blogger Danelle had ever tried.
Get the recipe from Let’s Dish.
Orzo Pasta Salad
Orzo Pasta Salad
Hey, there’s no rule that says pasta salad has to be made with a certain type of pasta. We’re obsessed with the textural switch-up of Dinner at the Zoo’s orzo pasta salad. This recipe calls for cucumbers, chickpeas, tomatoes, red onion, feta, and herbs, but you could probably toss in any fresh summer veggies you have on hand.
Get the recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.
Poppy Seed Chicken and Grape Pasta Salad
Poppy Seed Chicken and Grape Pasta Salad
Don’t let your doubts about putting fruit in a pasta salad keep you from discovering this dish. Cooking Classy’s poppy seed chicken and grape salad is proof that fruit and pasta salad can be a beautiful marriage. Between that unexpected combo and the addition of crisp celery and crunchy almonds, this recipe is sure to wow.
Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
Protein Packed Thai Pasta Salad
Protein Packed Thai Pasta Salad
How does a pasta salad that takes only 20 minutes to make but packs 18 grams of protein and tons of flavor sound? Pretty great, right? Catching Seeds’ protein-packed Thai pasta salad is an answered prayer for busy moms everywhere.
Get the recipe from Catching Seeds.
Southwest Pasta Salad
Southwest Pasta Salad
There may be other Southwest-style pasta salads out there, but we’re partial to Inspired by Charm’s version. First of all, using wagon wheel pasta is, well, an inspired choice. But it’s also the combo of corn, beans, roasted red peppers, and creamy ranch dressing that is destined to make this dish a show-stopper.
Get the recipe from Inspired By Charm.
Taco Pasta Salad
Taco Pasta Salad
You can’t go wrong if you take Like Mother, Like Daughter’s cue and imbue pasta salad with all the flavors of a taco. The addition of crushed Doritos in this recipe is borderline brilliant.
Get the recipe from Like Mother Like Daughter.
Italian Caprese Pasta Salad
Italian Caprese Pasta Salad
If you don’t want to fuss with a ton of ingredients, go with The Chunky Chef’s Italian Caprese pasta salad. All you need are some juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, a little basil, and Italian vinaigrette to create an easy (but super-elegant) summer side dish.
Get the recipe from The Chunky Chef.
Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Trust us when we tell you that you’re missing out if you’ve never tried Hawaiian pasta salad before. Or better yet, don’t just take our word for it — follow Amanda Cooks & Styles’ recipe and try it for yourself. If you really want to blow everyone away, serve it with grilled huli huli chicken and Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Get the recipe from Amanda Cooks & Styles.
Dining and Cooking