Eight of the Greatest Pasta Salad Recipes

These straightforward pasta salad recipes simply could be the final word summertime meals. They’re quick, versatile, they usually get extra scrumptious by the day.

Discover 10 of the BEST pasta salad recipes proper right here – and don’t overlook to pin and save for later so that you don’t miss any of those scrumptious combos!

Studying find out how to make pasta salad may simply be your ticket to getting invited to the most effective summer time events. In reality, whenever you discover one you want, it may be a recipe that goes instantly into the “keeper” information… the form of recipe that occasion company will beg you to share! 

A chilly pasta salad recipe is an iconic custom of American summer time. It’s a facet dish, it’s a meal, it’s a crowd pleaser, it’s all of the issues

They’re filled with vibrant flavors, they journey nicely, they usually get higher within the fridge by the minute – marinating in a scrumptious dressing. What’s to not love? 

It’s true, I really like pasta in each format. I’ve proven you find out how to make contemporary pasta from scratch, egg noodles, and reader-fave recipes like this white wine pasta sauce, lemon basil pasta, pesto pasta, a conventional fettuccine alfredo and so many extra

Whereas I might drone on and on about pasta salad recipes virtually as usually as I can eat them (and that might be brunch, lunch, snacks, dinner, picnics, potlucks and extra…) right this moment I needed to spherical up all of my favorites for you. 

This put up is a superb one to save lots of and confer with down the street, everytime you want inspiration! We’re sharing the most effective suggestions, tips and secrets and techniques to creating pasta salad recipes you’re going to like.

A white bowl full of spaghetti pasta salad.

You can also make an ideal pasta salad with a bottle of retailer purchased dressing. However when you see how straightforward it’s to make your individual do-it-yourself dressings, you’ll by no means return! 

  • Make Forward – Pasta salad is even higher on the second day, after the dressing and elements mesh.
  • Healthful – With a do-it-yourself dressing, you’re making a personalized, colourful salad expertise with an explosion of taste! Not solely does it style higher, however you get to manage the elements. No weirder preservatives and added sodium. Recent is at all times greatest!
  • Recent, Vibrant Taste – I really like do-it-yourself salad dressings (in actual fact, I’ve a full French dressing information) and I’ve shared many with you previously – you’ll want to try all these scrumptious dressing choices! 
A white bowl filled with cooked tortellini pasta, and a bottle of pasta salad dressing being poured over the top.

Suggestions

  • Use a big pot on your noodles. You need to give them loads of room to cook dinner, separated, within the evenly salted water.
  • Take a look at this information to Easy methods to Cease Water from Boiling Over – it’s so helpful for pasta and potatoes!
  • Prepare dinner your noodles al dente. I repeat: don’t overcook your pasta! Particularly when the cooked pasta will spend additional time soaking in a dressing, you don’t must cook dinner it too lengthy.
  • Rinse noodles in chilly water earlier than combining them along with your pasta salad dressing.
  • Use a prime quality olive oil. If you’re making such a easy dressing, the person elements will shine!
  • Easy methods to Retailer Pasta Salad – In case you are making it forward, you may retailer in a lined bowl, within the fridge, for as much as per week.
  • Similar goes on your pasta salad dressings! In reality, whether it is simply an oil and vinegar dressing then it should preserve for as much as two weeks!
  • Refresh Pasta Salad – If the pasta appears dry after marinating, add extra pasta salad dressing and stir! You may as well go away somewhat water when draining the pasta to maintain it moist and use much less dressing.
  • Including cheese? Grate it contemporary. You’ll by no means remorse this additional step! Recent grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese are the hallmarks of any nice pasta dish in my eyes!

A white colander full of cooked tortellini pasta, with water flowing into it from a faucet.

A variety of gold cake pans, loaf pans and muffin baking pan sizes laid out on a marble surface.

A close up of macaroni pasta salad.

Extra About Pasta Salad Dressing

In case you’re on the lookout for extra in-depth element about do-it-yourself pasta salad dressings, please head to this put up the place I talk about at size! It would actually aid you perceive the idea for a scratch dressing and also you’ll shortly be an knowledgeable.

  • Pasta salad dressing usually is made with both an oil and vinegar dressing or with a creamier base like mayonnaise. 
  • I are inclined to go along with a French dressing as a result of it’s so straightforward to alter up the flavour combos with completely different oils and vinegar. It additionally stays contemporary for longer, both in your fridge or at room temperature when serving.
  • Bonus? It’s also a lighter dressing with much less energy.
  • In case you desire creamy pasta salad dressings, you may at all times add mayo, bitter cream or Greek yogurt to the recipe, normally substituting it for the oil within the recipe.

The Greatest Pasta Salad Recipes

There are such a lot of scrumptious methods to create an unbelievable pasta salad! This record is crammed with inspiration and printable recipe hyperlinks.

Discover a simple pasta salad recipe for each event proper right here! There are crowd-pleasing flavors to swimsuit each style. Which one will you make first?

Tortellini Pasta Salad

This tortellini pasta salad is jam filled with zesty Mediterranean flavors. A do-it-yourself Greek dressing completely enhances the textural pasta and veggies on this wonderful chilly facet dish!

A white serving bowl full of tortellini pasta salad, gold serving spoon on the side.

Mexican Pasta Salad

Straightforward 20 minute Mexican Pasta Salad – a lightweight, and scrumptious pasta salad recipe makes the right facet dish or stand alone dinner.

I turned my favourite Cilantro Lime Dressing right into a Mexican Pasta Salad recipe that’s gentle, refreshing and has simply sufficient kick!

A close up of a Mexican inspired pasta salad recipe.

Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian Pasta Salad recipe is fast and simple, with simply quarter-hour arms on time.

Straightforward Italian Pasta Salad Recipe – the right summer time facet dish that takes little or no effort and time and is gentle and refreshing!

A white bowl filled with Italian pasta salad.

Seafood Pasta Salad

A light-weight and refreshing Seafood Pasta Salad recipe for a lunch you may get pleasure from all week or facet dish for get togethers!

This Shrimp Pasta Salad is really easy and makes use of just some elements. It’s the final word summer time pasta salad!

A white bowl on a marble countertop, filled with a seafood pasta salad recipe.

Basil Lemon Pasta Salad

Lemon Basil Pasta Salad is a lightweight and refreshing different to traditional pasta salads. It’s filled with contemporary taste and is made in minutes with a number of easy elements.

Lemon basil recipes are good for spring and summer time get togethers or for a lightweight and refreshing lunch or dinner. This lemon pasta salad is not any exception! It’s good for picnics and events.

A basil lemon pasta salad with two wooden spoons in the serving bowl.

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

A light-weight, refreshing pasta salad recipe, good for summer time picnics and outings.

This bow tie pasta salad has essentially the most wonderful pasta salad dressing made with lemon and basil. It’s at all times a crowd pleaser!

a bowl of bow tie pasta salad

Unimaginable Veggie Pasta Salad

This veggie pasta salad recipe is bursting with contemporary, vibrant flavors!

Overflowing with vitamins due to an array of contemporary sauteed veggies, it’s a vegetarian pasta salad facet dish you may be ok with!

A bowl full of veggie pasta salad

The Greatest Spaghetti Salad

Spaghetti salad is an extremely versatile, quick pasta salad recipe that’s such a crowd pleaser!

Tossed in a savory do-it-yourself Italian dressing, this chilly spaghetti salad recipe is a keeper. It’s a recipe your family and friends will ask you to carry time and again.

A spaghetti pasta salad in a white bowl.

Macaroni Salad

This traditional macaroni salad is the final word summer time facet dish! With a luxuriously creamy dressing and an array of brilliant and delightful veggies, this dish is filled with taste.

A large bowl full of macaroni salad with a wooden spoon for serving.

Don’t Skip These:  Pasta salad is certainly one of my favourite BBQ Sides and Burger Sides – don’t skip this entire information that can assist you plan your subsequent cookout!

I can’t wait to listen to from you! Which recipe is your favourite?

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Extra Salad Inspiration

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A graphic image featuring four different bowls of pasta salad, headline reads

10 Straightforward Pasta Salad Recipes

Prep Time 10 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 10 minutes

Whole Time 20 minutes

These straightforward pasta salad recipes simply could be the final word summertime meals. They’re quick, versatile, they usually get extra scrumptious by the day.

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Directions

  • Boil a pot of water over excessive warmth. Boil noodles 10-11 minutes and drain.

  • With a meals course of or a mandoline (or by hand) chop all extra veggies and elements.

  • Mix pasta salad dressing elements and shake or whisk collectively.

  • In a big bowl, mix cooked pasta, extra elements, and dressing.

  • Serve instantly or refrigerate till able to serve.

Suggestions

Pasta Salad Suggestions

  • Use a big pot on your noodles. You need to give them loads of room to cook dinner, separated, within the evenly salted water.
  • Take a look at this information to Easy methods to Cease Water from Boiling Over – it’s so helpful for pasta and potatoes!
  • Prepare dinner your noodles al dente. I repeat: don’t overcook your pasta! Particularly when the cooked pasta will spend additional time soaking in a dressing, you don’t must cook dinner it too lengthy.
  • Rinse noodles in chilly water earlier than combining them along with your pasta salad dressing.
  • Use a prime quality olive oil. If you’re making such a easy dressing, the person elements will shine!
  • Easy methods to Retailer Pasta Salad – In case you are making it forward, you may retailer in a lined bowl, within the fridge, for as much as per week.
  • Similar goes on your pasta salad dressings! In reality, whether it is simply an oil and vinegar dressing then it should preserve for as much as two weeks!
  • Refresh Pasta Salad – If the pasta appears dry after marinating, add extra pasta salad dressing and stir! You may as well go away somewhat water when draining the pasta to maintain it moist and use much less dressing.
  • Including cheese? Grate it contemporary. You’ll by no means remorse this additional step! Recent grated Parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese are the hallmarks of any nice pasta dish in my eyes!

Vitamin Info

Energy: 176kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 25g (8%), Protein: 9g (18%), Fats: 5g (8%), Saturated Fats: 2g (10%), Ldl cholesterol: 22mg (7%), Sodium: 246mg (10%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Calcium: 80mg (8%), Iron: 1mg (6%)