Pasta salad basically counts as its own food group during the summer. It’s the perfect thing to turn to when you need an easy side dish to bring to a gathering, a no-heat lunch you can take into the office, or a simple dinner that won’t heat up your house. Pasta salad recipes are so versatile, and there are so many different variations that you could eat all summer long without getting sick of it (I know I do). Plus, the only actual cooking you typically need to do is boiling some pasta, and the rest comes together by simply chopping some ingredients and tossing them in a bowl. If you load it up with enough mix-ins, pasta salad can totally qualify as a meal, but you could also add in some grilled chicken, salami, chickpeas, or even hard-boiled eggs for some extra protein.
To the girlies who are fully on board with the idea of a salad that’s mostly just carbs, this recipe roundup is for you. These pasta salad recipes are tasty enough to make on repeat all summer long:
This Italian-inspired pasta salad recipe is the perfect mix of bright, zesty, and savory flavors. Pro tip: Make a double batch of the dressing if you’re prepping this recipe ahead. The pasta will soak up the dressing as it sits in the fridge, so you’ll want extra to drizzle on later.
This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is basically a Midwesterner’s dream come true (speaking from experience here). It’s loaded up with grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, fresh summer produce, and a yummy Greek yogurt ranch, which is made with your favorite store-bought dressing to save time.
Adding pasta might just be the only way to improve upon a classic caprese salad. These fresh flavors work so well in a pasta salad, and the recipe couldn’t be simpler to throw together. Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze at the end for the perfect cherry on top.
A chicken Caesar salad but with extra carbs? Yes please. This Caesar pasta salad recipe works best when you throw everything together right before serving. That way, the lettuce and croutons won’t get soggy before you’re ready to eat.
This antipasto salad is the perfect way to clear out your fridge and pantry. The recipe suggests using classic Italian ingredients like provolone cheese, olives, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, salami, and prosciutto. But if you’d rather skip an ingredient or two and add in something else, the results will still be delicious.
This pasta salad recipe is made with simple ingredients but packs in tons of bright, fresh flavor. For the best results, let the chickpeas marinate overnight before you toss everything together so the flavors have a chance to really soak in.
Pick up all the ingredients for this summery pasta salad recipe the next time you head to the farmers market. Made with fresh peaches, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and arugula, it’s a tasty way to enjoy all of this season’s best produce.
Pasta salad recipes are often loaded up with ingredients like mayo and cheese that don’t work with a vegan diet. For a plant-based alternative, try this vegan pasta salad, made with cherry tomatoes, peas, arugula, and a dairy-free walnut pesto sauce.
This recipe takes all the fresh, summery flavors of a BLT sandwich and turns it into a yummy pasta salad that’s perfect for serving at a summer cookout. If you want to make it ahead of time, wait to add the bacon and croutons until right before serving.
This tortellini pasta salad recipe requires just five ingredients that you can easily find at the grocery store. Simply cook your pasta and toss it with the remaining ingredients for a crowd-pleasing dish that’s ready in just 10 minutes.
This creamy pasta salad is full of classic Italian flavors and makes a delicious side for grilling. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2-3 days, so it’s a great dish to make ahead.
The combination of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, and feta is perfect on its own, but the addition of pasta makes it even more hearty and filling. It makes a beautifully colorful side dish that’s bursting with flavor.
If you love the creamy, smoky flavors of Mexican street corn, you need to try this pasta salad recipe. It’s surprisingly easy to throw together and mostly requires ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Made with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, and a basil vinaigrette, this pasta salad recipe is a slightly more elevated option that would be perfect to serve at a summer dinner party.
For an easy, no-heat lunch idea, try this tuna pasta salad. Made with canned tuna, Mediterranean-inspired veggies, and a Greek yogurt dressing, it’s packed with both protein and flavor.
Something about the combination of strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and spinach just works, especially when topped with crumbled feta and walnuts. If I just described your favorite summer salad recipe (same), you need to try this pasta salad version next.
This pasta salad achieves its creamy texture with the help of avocado instead of mayo, making it a lighter, more nutritious option that doesn’t compromise on taste.
This Mexican pasta salad recipe might just steal the show at your next barbecue. The creamy chipotle lime dressing will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Made with broccoli, tomatoes, red pepper, black olives, and pickled red onions, this pasta salad is full of flavor. While the recipe offers instructions for a vegan and gluten-free version, you could also make it with regular mayo and pasta with similarly delicious results.
This pasta salad is truly one of those recipes where you can just dump everything into a bowl and stir. While you can make your own pesto if you’re feeling fancy, store-bought works too (and saves time).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
