Warm weather means BBQ ribs, burgers, and grilled feasts, but every spread needs a satisfying side dish—enter pasta salad. It’s the ultimate summer staple, easy to make ahead, endlessly customizable, and perfect for serving cold or at room temperature. Here are 15 of the best pasta salad recipes you’ll want to whip up all season long.
- No-Mayo Peperonata Pasta Salad This Italian-inspired dish swaps mayo for a flavorful peperonata made from sautéed bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It’s vibrant, light, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
- Antipasto Orzo Pasta Salad Love an antipasto platter? This pasta salad combines orzo with marinated artichokes, olives, roasted red peppers, and cheese for a hearty, tangy dish that’s ready in minutes.
- Cold Vegetable & Noodle Salad With Ponzu Dressing Udon noodles meet fresh vegetables and a zingy ponzu dressing, creating a refreshing, umami-packed salad with a perfect balance of tart and salty flavors.
- Summer Pasta Alla Caprese Inspired by the classic Caprese salad, this pasta dish features fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil, making it a no-fuss summer favorite.
- Orzo Salad With Scallions, Hazelnuts & Golden Raisins This sweet and savory orzo salad balances the crunch of toasted hazelnuts with the sweetness of golden raisins, all tied together with a bright vinaigrette.
- Miso Peanut Pasta Salad A twist on classic macaroni salad, this version uses peanut butter and miso for a creamy, umami-rich dressing, finished with a spicy kick from chile-garlic sauce.
- Bow Tie Pasta Salad With No-Cook Tomato Sauce Tomato season shines in this dish with a simple, no-cook sauce made from fresh tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, and fragrant herbs.
- Cold Sesame Noodle Salad Perfect for hot days, this Asian-inspired salad combines thin noodles with a creamy sesame dressing for a light yet satisfying meal.
- Jaengban Guksu (Korean-Style Soba Noodles with Spicy Dressing) This spicy, tangy Korean noodle salad is made with buckwheat soba, crisp vegetables, and a gochujang-based dressing for bold, fiery flavors.
- Lemon-Dill Orzo Pasta Salad With Cucumbers, Olives & Feta A bright Mediterranean dish featuring orzo, crunchy cucumbers, briny olives, and creamy feta, all brought together with a lemon-dill vinaigrette.
- Beet-Dressed Pasta With Golden Raisins & Poppy Seeds This unique salad uses beet purée to create a visually stunning and slightly sweet dressing, complemented by golden raisins and poppy seeds.
- Pasta Salad With Roasted Peppers, Green Olives, Walnuts & Anchovies With just five ingredients, this pasta salad delivers a powerhouse of flavors—roasted peppers, briny olives, crunchy walnuts, and umami-rich anchovies.
- Grilled Okra Pasta Salad Charring okra on the grill adds a smoky depth to this pasta salad, which also includes juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella.
- Classic Italian Pasta Salad The secret to this classic Italian pasta salad? Slightly overcooked pasta, which absorbs flavors better. Packed with cured meats, cheese, and tangy dressing, it’s a picnic essential.
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad A medley of olives, cured meats, crunchy pickled veggies, and fresh herbs makes this the ultimate pasta salad—perfect at any temperature and always a crowd-pleaser.
Make Your Own Signature Pasta Salad
Want to create your own pasta salad masterpiece? Follow this simple formula: use ¾ to 1 cup of dressing per pound of pasta, mix in fresh vegetables, nuts, herbs, and cheeses, and let the flavors marinate for even better taste over time.
With these 15 irresistible pasta salads, your summer gatherings are sure to be a hit. Which one will you try first?
