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Summer is all about a good pasta salad recipe! Whether it’s dinner, for potlucks, a BBQ, or lounging by the pool – here are 19 Summer Pasta Salad Recipes that will have the crowd cheering!

4 summer pasta salad recipes with text

Having a batch of prepared pasta salad in the refrigerator at all times is a game changer.

Need a quick side for dinner? Done.

Having a picnic in the park? Take a box!

Want something to add a can of cooked tuna or chicken to? It’s ready.

Have company coming? You’ve got something to serve.

A cold pasta salad has a little bit of everything. Fresh herbs, like basil, loaded it with crunchy cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, other fresh ingredients, chewy pasta, an a dressing that just knocks it out-of-the-park in the flavor department!

Table of Contents

Summer Pasta Salads That Sit Well in the Fridge

Loaded with fresh artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, capers, scallions, and so much more!

Serves: 8

chewy pasta, fresh strawberries, mozzarella, baby spinach, tossed with avocados and basil.

Serves: 6

This dish is loaded with fiber! Chickpeas, parsley, crumbled feta, tossed in a red wine vinegar and lemon dressing.

Serves: 6

You’ve never had a salad like this! Peppers, red onion, and black olives. The dressing ingredients include roasted garlic, and that dressing just gets into the nooks and crannies of the rotini or fusilli pasta -AHMAZING.

Serves: 8

Summers Bounty! Fresh corn, chopped spinach, shredded rotisserie chicken, all in a lime and garlic cilantro dressing.

Serves: 6

I use whole wheat spaghetti with a creamy peanut lime dressing and toss it with shredded cabbage and bell pepper for crunch. Use zucchini noodles to add more vegetables!

Serves: 4

If I could give my heart to one salad – it’s tis! Mandarin oranges, romaine mix, crunch from chow mein noodles? Oh yes. Blend the dressing in a blender or whisk!

Serves: 5

Everything you love about a greek salad, but with chicken and orzo! And there’s plenty of feta cheese too!

Serves: 8

Complete with tri-colored rotini and a tangy Italian dressing you’d lick off of a boot!

Serves: 8

If you love roasted garlic – this one is for you! Loaded with roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and chopped mozzarella cheese. On my list of top 5 salads of all time!

Serves: 8

Good to Know

Just remember, we’re making pasta salad, so be sure to salt the water generously! You want that pasta to have plenty of flavor from the start.

Also normally you cook pasta al dente, but for most pasta salad recipes it’s recommended to cook it all the way through. Give it an extra minute (or the longest time listed on packaging) and that should do the trick!

More Summer Pasta Salad Recipes that WOW.

Swap tortellini for regular penne in this deliciously cheesy salad! Cool the pasta down once you boil it, then toss it all with my 2-minute Caesar Salad Dressing.

Serves: 4

If you tell me you don’t like tuna, I’ll tell you it’s because you haven’t tried this pasta salad! Add the drained pasta to a bowl with tuna, arugula, and zesty pepperoncini! The ranch dressing takes this over the top!

Serves: 6

Herbs, herbs, herbs. Loaded with a lemon panko breadcrumb and it is so good it’ll make a grown man (or woman) cry!

Serves: 6

Salad

Lemon Basil Arugula Pasta Salad

A delicious lemon basil arugula pasta salad that’s fresh and easy to make ahead for boxed lunches or light dinners.…

Drain cooked pasta and toss it with an olive oil and lemon dressing. Then serve over peppery arugula with tons of shaved parmesan.

Serves: 5

Salad

Street Corn Pasta Salad

The Easiest Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad! This recipe combines everything you love about esquites with a creamy pasta…

A tangy and fun way to enjoy esquites! Loaded with a homemade crema, fresh herbs, and cotija cheese.

Serves: 10

Boil the orzo in a large pot, then drain and serve tossed in summer fresh cherry tomatoes, and basil. The dressing is a sun-dried tomato and oregano flavored masterpiece.

Serves: 5

A spinach and walnut pesto loaded with nutrition is the base of today’s recipe. Toss with tortellini, cherry tomatoes, and cubed mozzarella.

Serves: 10

Sides

Most Addicting Macaroni Salad

My classic macaroni salad is a crowd-pleaser at summer BBQs, picnics, and potlucks! I have been making it for years!…

A summer classic, what more can I say?

Serves: 6

Fish & Seafood

Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo Salad

Mediterranean shrimp orzo salad is fresh and easy to make for boxed lunches or light dinners. It’s ultra-simple — the…

A blend of mediterranean flavors! We add 8 ounces of pasta to this with a whole pound of shrimp. Toss it together in a large bowl with cucumbers, dill, scallions, and more!

Serves:  6

Hi, I'm Marzia!

A wife, mother, nutritionist, certified foodie, and a coffee lover. My husband Anees, our daughter, and I live near Houston. I love reading books, bingeing reality shows, and a good salted brown butter chocolate chip cookie!

More About Me

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