16 Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes for a Lighter Cookout

1Tuna Pasta Salad healthy tuna pasta salad Will Dickey

Protein is the key to keeping you feeling full for longer and the tuna in this pasta salad is a great source for it! It’s also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for heart health. To make this salad even lighter, just olive oil mayonnaise, or substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.

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2Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad healthy spicy veggie pasta salad Ryan Liebe

This pasta salad is a celebration of veggies with fresh corn, baby bell peppers, scallions, tomatoes, and lots of herbs. It’ll add a pop of color and spice to your table.

Get Ree’s Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad recipe.

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3Chicken Pasta Salad healthy chicken pasta salad Caitlin Bensel

The dressing for this creamy pasta salad is made with more yogurt than mayo so it has that added benefit of protein and good probiotics. It’s also packed with chicken, almonds, grapes, and celery so it’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own.

Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.

4Caprese Pasta Salad healthy caprese pasta salad Caitlin Bensel

Instead of a creamy dressing, this pasta salad opts for a vinegar-based dressing that’s light and flavorful. You can easily swap out the pasta for any whole-grain noodle or top it off with grilled chicken for added protein.

Get the Caprese Pasta Salad recipe.

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5Greek Pasta Salad healthy greek pasta salad Will Dickey6Mediterranean Pasta Salad healthy mediterranean pasta salad Antonis Achilleos

Pickled veggies, capers, and olives give this pasta salad lots of briny flavor. But it’s the crispy chickpeas―roasted, not fried―that really make it shine. They add texture, crunch, and extra vegetarian-friendly protein.

Get Ree’s Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.

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7Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad healthy spring pea pesto pasta salad Antonis Achilleos

Ree’s “deep, dark secret” is that she loves pasta salads “where you can barely see any of the pasta.” In this case, it has healthy spring peas, peppery arugula, and a gloriously green pesto dressing.

Get Ree’s Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

8Southwestern Pasta Salad healthy southwest pasta salad Caitlin Bensel

Fill up on smoky chipotle, fresh corn, tangy tomatoes, creamy pinto beans, buttery avocado, and a sprinkle of refreshing cilantro. If you’re worried about the creamy dressing, just cut back on how much you mix in.

Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.

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9Couscous Salad healthy couscous pasta salad Caitlin Bensel

If you’re looking to really keep things airy, this couscous salad is the way to go! The grain-like pasta cooks up so light and fluffy, but it still has lots of fiber to keep you full. Plus, the pomegranate seeds add an extra boost of antioxidants!

Get the Couscous Salad recipe.

10Mediterranean Orzo Salad healthy mediterranean orzo pasta salad Hector Manuel Sanchez

This orzo pasta salad is light and fresh thanks to the tangy, lemony dressing. The chickpeas are a great source of protein (especially for vegetarians), but you can also top it off with grilled shrimp.

Get the Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.

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11Italian Pasta Salad healthy italian pasta salad Will Dickey

This pasta salad isn’t shy about adding flavorful mix-ins, like veggies, olives, herbs, and cheese. It’s also made with a red wine vinegar and pesto dressing so you know it’s going to have plenty of flavor.

Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.

12Bow Tie Pasta Salad healthy bow tie pasta salad Will Dickey

You’ll get enough protein from the ham, cheese, and peas in this salad to fill you up. Plus, it’s got some peppers to sneak in some veggies. To make the dressing healthier, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.

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13Greek Pesto Pasta Salad healthy greek pesto pasta salad Ryan Dausch

Forgo the creamy dressings entirely and still get a ton of flavor by using pesto. The mixture of heart-healthy olive oil and herby basil gives all the veggies in this salad an extra boost.

Get Ree’s Greek Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

14California Spaghetti Salad healthy california spaghetti pasta salad Alyssa Rivers

While most pasta salads use short shapes, you can also use long strands like spaghetti! Either way, my mixing pasta with fresh veggies and a light Italian dressing help it be on the healthier side.

Get the California Spaghetti Salad recipe.

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15Tortellini Pasta Salad healthy tortellini pasta salad Caitlin Bensel

Another pasta to try is cheese tortellini! That way, you get your cheese and your pasta all in one bite. Just add a little protein (salami) and a lot of veggies (zucchini, bell peppers, pepperoncini, and red onion).

Get the Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe.

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16Kale Pasta Salad healthy kale pasta salad The Pioneer Woman

Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, and beta-carotene—it’s no wonder kale is considered a nutritional powerhouse! You’ll also get plenty of fiber with this dish.

Get Ree’s Kale Pasta Salad recipe.

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