A great pasta salad is all about contrast—tender noodles, crisp veggies, and zesty dressings. Each recipe brings color and personality to the bowl, perfect for picnics or quick lunches. Tossed fresh or made ahead, they’re easy, flexible, and full of flavor. A reminder that simple ingredients can sing together beautifully.

Pizza Pasta Salad

Pizza Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Pizza Pasta Salad is a fun, flavorful twist on classic pizza, turned into a hearty pasta salad. Loaded with cheese, pepperoni, and fresh veggies, it’s perfect for potlucks or family meals. Easy to prepare and full of familiar flavors, it’s a crowd-pleasing dish everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Pesto Pasta Salad is bright, fresh, and packed with herbaceous flavor. Tender pasta is coated in a fragrant pesto sauce with optional veggies or cheese for extra texture. Quick to make and perfect for a summer lunch or side dish, it’s simple and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad

Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad combines smoky bacon, tender chicken, sharp cheddar, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Tossed in a light red wine vinegar dressing, it’s refreshing and flavorful without heavy mayo. Perfect for picnics, meal prep, or any casual gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad

Lemony Greek Pasta Salad

Lemony Greek Pasta Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Lemony Greek Pasta Salad is fresh, tangy, and easy to prepare. Pasta, crisp veggies, olives, and a zesty Greek dressing create a refreshing, vibrant dish. Ideal for summer lunches, potlucks, or light dinners, it’s cool, flavorful, and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Greek Pasta Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Rotisserie chicken pasta salad in a bowl.
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad is a quick and tasty way to use leftover chicken. Tender pasta, crisp veggies, and a creamy dressing come together for a satisfying meal. Perfect for picnics, weeknight dinners, or as a make-ahead lunch.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!

Overhead shot of a glass bowl filled with BLT pasta salad.
BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

BLT Pasta Salad combines crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and pasta for a flavor-packed side. Tangy dressing ties it all together in a simple, quick recipe. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family dinners.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!

Salmon Pasta Salad

Salmon pasta salad in a black bowl with forks nearby.
Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Salmon Pasta Salad is creamy, tangy, and loaded with sweet, flaky salmon. Dill and lemon brighten the flavors, making it hearty enough for a main dish. Easy to prepare and perfect for lunch, dinner, or a summer gathering.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

A wooden spoon lifts a serving of orzo pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and olives from a white bowl.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is a fresh, tangy mix of orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. Tossed in a zesty red wine vinaigrette with garlic, it’s crisp, refreshing, and perfect as a make-ahead side. Great for summer meals or Mediterranean-inspired dinners.
Get the Recipe: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad mixed with corn, cotija cheese, red onion, cilantro, and lime wedges, served with wooden utensils.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad mixes tender pasta with charred corn, creamy mayo, sour cream, and cotija cheese. A hint of chili-lime adds a zesty punch to this vibrant side. Quick, flavorful, and perfect for summer barbecues or weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad

A white bowl filled with creamy pasta salad, mixed with chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy dressing.
Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

This creamy Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad features cheesy tortellini, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil in a parmesan-rich dressing. Cool, comforting, and flavorful, it’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad without Mayo

Overhead image of a pasta salad without mayo.
Pasta Salad without Mayo. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Pasta Salad without Mayo is light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. Tossed with a simple Italian dressing, it’s an easy side for barbecues, picnics, or quick lunches. Crisp, flavorful, and satisfying with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Pasta Salad without Mayo

Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

A white bowl filled with tri-color rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks, and feta cheese on a red-and-white checkered tablecloth.
Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a quick, simple way to enjoy pasta in the warmer months. Tossed with fresh veggies and tangy dressing, it’s perfect as a side or a light meal. Easy, flavorful, and ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cold Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Bacon ranch pasta salad in a clear bowl with a striped towel.
Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon is creamy, rich, and perfect for summer gatherings. Bacon, crisp veggies, and tangy ranch dressing make this salad irresistible. Quick to prepare and a crowd-pleasing addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Pasta Salad With Bacon

Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

A plate of Deviled Egg Pasta Salad served with a fork on a white plate.
Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad combines the flavors of classic deviled eggs with tender pasta. This retro-inspired dish is chilled, rich, and perfect for potlucks or casual get-togethers. Always the first bowl to disappear at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

Seafood Pasta Salad

Seafood pasta salad in white serving bowl.
Seafood Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Seafood Pasta Salad is light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. Shrimp, crab, and pasta are tossed in a creamy, flavorful dressing for a satisfying dish. Easy to prepare, it’s ideal for picnics, lunches, or dinner parties.
Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

A bowl of salmon pasta salad with a creamy dressing, garnished with a sprig of dill.
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Easy Salmon Pasta Salad is a simple, tasty dish loaded with flaky salmon and tender pasta. Tossed in a light dressing with fresh herbs, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. Creamy, flavorful, and satisfying every time.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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