It’s grilling season, and that means it’s pasta salad season too. Whether you’re headed to a backyard cookout, a potluck, or just need a make-ahead side that holds up in the summer heat, a good pasta salad is the MVP of the table. It travels well, feeds a crowd, and tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge soaking up all that dressing.
We rounded up 14 of the best pasta salads from food bloggers who know their way around a mixing bowl — from bright Mediterranean flavors to smoky BBQ, tangy dill pickle, and classic Italian. If you already have a favorite like our Cowboy Pasta Salad, think of this as your next 14 to add to the rotation. Jump to whichever one sounds good, or just scroll through and pick your favorite.
Jump to a Recipe:
- Mediterranean Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Classic Italian Pasta Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- BBQ Pulled Pork Pasta Salad
- Tomato Basil Mozzarella Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Simple 7-Ingredient Pasta Salad
1. Mediterranean Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Cafe Delites
A mayo-free pasta salad with penne, romaine, cucumber, avocado, red pepper, tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes and feta. It is dressed with a homemade lemon and herb dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and dried herbs. The recipe makes about 10 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 25 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 10
You’ll need: Avocado, basil, cucumber, feta cheese, garlic, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, parsley, penne pasta, pepper, red bell pepper, red onion, red wine vinegar, romaine lettuce, salt, sun-dried tomatoes
👉 Get the full recipe at Cafe Delites
Best for: lighter BBQ sides, meal prep, Mediterranean flavor fans
2. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Let’s Dish
All the flavours of Mexican street corn in a pasta salad: rotini with fresh grilled corn, red bell pepper, green onions, jalapeno, cilantro, cotija (or feta) and Parmesan. The creamy dressing is mayonnaise and sour cream with chili powder and lime juice.
⏱ Total Time: about 25 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 6-8
You’ll need: Chili powder, cilantro, corn on the cob, cotija or feta cheese, green onions, jalapeno, lime juice, mayonnaise, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pepper, red bell pepper, rotini pasta, salt, sour cream
👉 Get the full recipe at Let’s Dish
Best for: taco night sides, summer cookouts, corn lovers
3. Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Photo: Via Recipe Runner
A Greek-style orzo salad with cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, parsley and feta. It is tossed in a red wine vinaigrette sweetened with a little honey and seasoned with Dijon, garlic powder and oregano. The recipe makes 5 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 30 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 5
You’ll need: Cherry tomatoes, dijon mustard, english cucumber, feta cheese, garlic powder, honey, kalamata olives, olive oil, oregano, orzo pasta, parsley, pepper, red onion, red wine vinegar, salt
👉 Get the full recipe at Recipe Runner
Best for: make-ahead sides, vegetarian tables, meal prep lunches
4. Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Spend With Pennies
Tricolor rotini tossed with salami, cubed mozzarella, grape tomatoes, black olives, red onion and green, orange and red bell peppers, finished with Parmesan and parsley. It is dressed with Italian vinaigrette and is meant as a make-ahead side, making about 12 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 2 hours 30 minutes including chilling 👨👩👧 Serves: 12
You’ll need: Black olives, grape tomatoes, green bell pepper, italian seasoning, italian vinaigrette, mozzarella cheese, orange bell pepper, parmesan cheese, parsley, pepper, red bell pepper, red onion, salami, salt, tricolor rotini
👉 Get the full recipe at Spend With Pennies
Best for: potlucks, big gatherings, Italian food fans
5. Greek Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Andy’s East Coast Kitchen
A simple Greek pasta salad with fusilli, cherry tomatoes, baby cucumbers, red onion, kalamata olives, feta, oregano and fresh dill. The dressing is olive oil and lemon juice with red wine vinegar, Dijon, lemon zest, garlic and oregano. The author calls it a go-to for BBQs and potlucks.
⏱ Total Time: about 25 minutes
You’ll need: Baby cucumbers, black pepper, cherry tomatoes, dijon mustard, dill, feta cheese, fusilli pasta, garlic, kalamata olives, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, oregano, red onion, red wine vinegar, salt
👉 Get the full recipe at Andy’s East Coast Kitchen
Best for: BBQ tables, potlucks, quick weeknight sides
6. BBQ Pulled Pork Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Feast on the Cheap
Fusilli and pulled pork with bell pepper, English cucumber, scallions and cilantro, tossed in a tangy BBQ dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, BBQ sauce and cider vinegar, with a little heat from sriracha, chili powder and cayenne. The recipe serves 12 as a side dish.
👨👩👧 Serves: 12
You’ll need: Apple cider vinegar, bbq sauce, bell pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cilantro, english cucumber, fusilli, greek yogurt, mayonnaise, pulled pork, salt, scallions, sriracha
👉 Get the full recipe at Feast on the Cheap
Best for: using up leftover pulled pork, hearty BBQ sides, feeding a crowd
7. Tomato Basil Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Baker by Nature
A mayo-free pasta salad of farfalle, cherry tomatoes, red onion and marinated mozzarella balls with fresh basil. The dressing is a basil and garlic vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice and red wine vinegar. The recipe makes 8 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 20 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 8
You’ll need: Basil, cherry tomatoes, farfalle pasta, garlic, lemon juice, marinated mozzarella balls, olive oil, red onion, red pepper flakes or black pepper, red wine vinegar, salt, sugar
👉 Get the full recipe at Baker by Nature
Best for: mayo-free sides, using up garden tomatoes, lighter BBQ fare
8. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Well Plated
A lighter take on Caesar salad in pasta form: whole wheat fusilli with chicken, romaine, cherry tomatoes, croutons and Parmesan. It is tossed in a homemade Caesar dressing made with Greek yogurt. The recipe makes 6 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 30 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 6
You’ll need: Caesar dressing, cherry tomatoes, chicken breast, croutons, parmesan cheese, romaine lettuce, whole wheat fusilli pasta
👉 Get the full recipe at Well Plated
Best for: using rotisserie chicken, buffet tables, Caesar salad fans
9. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Together as Family
Rotini pasta with plenty of chopped dill pickles, cubed Colby Jack cheese and white onion in a creamy homemade dressing of mayonnaise, sour cream, pickle juice and fresh dill. The recipe makes about 12 one-cup servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 2 hours 30 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 12
You’ll need: Colby jack cheese, dill, dill pickle juice, dill pickles, mayonnaise, pepper, rotini pasta, salt, sour cream, white onion
👉 Get the full recipe at Together as Family
Best for: pickle lovers, potlucks, make-ahead sides
10. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Photo: Via The Girl Who Ate Everything
Small pasta with chopped cooked or rotisserie chicken, carrots, celery and crumbled blue cheese, tossed in a dressing of Frank’s buffalo sauce and ranch seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder and celery salt. Red onion is optional. The recipe makes 6 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 20 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 6
You’ll need: Blue cheese, buffalo sauce, carrots, celery, celery salt, chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, pasta, ranch dressing, red onion (optional)
👉 Get the full recipe at The Girl Who Ate Everything
Best for: spice lovers, game day spreads, summer cookouts
11. Antipasto Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Gonna Want Seconds
A hearty antipasto salad with rotini, romaine, Genoa salami, mozzarella, green and black olives, pepperoncini, chickpeas, grape tomatoes, red pepper and basil. It comes with a homemade red wine and balsamic vinaigrette, and the author suggests serving it as a main course or a side. The recipe makes 6 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 30 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 6
You’ll need: Balsamic vinegar, basil, black olives, black pepper, dijon mustard, garbanzo beans, garlic, genoa salami, grape tomatoes, green olives, italian seasoning, mozzarella, olive oil, pepperoncini peppers, red bell pepper, red onion, red wine vinegar, romaine lettuce, rotini pasta, salt, shallots
👉 Get the full recipe at Gonna Want Seconds
Best for: big potlucks, charcuterie fans, make-ahead entertaining
12. Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Barefeet in the Kitchen
Pasta shells with crumbled bacon, peas, grape tomatoes, green onion and cheddar or Colby Jack cheese, coated in a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Chopped avocado is an optional topping. The recipe makes 6 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 20 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 6
You’ll need: Avocado (optional), bacon, bacon grease, black pepper, cheddar or colby jack cheese, chives, dill, frozen peas, garlic powder, grape tomatoes, green onion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, milk, onion powder, parsley, pasta shells, salt
👉 Get the full recipe at Barefeet in the Kitchen
Best for: BBQ classics, bacon lovers, easy pantry-staple sides
13. Caprese Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Foodiecrush
A caprese-style pasta salad with short pasta, mini mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. It is dressed simply with olive oil, white balsamic vinegar and garlic, and is ready in under 30 minutes. The recipe makes about 10 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 25 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 10
You’ll need: Basil, black pepper, cherry tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella balls, olive oil, salt, short pasta, white balsamic vinegar
👉 Get the full recipe at Foodiecrush
Best for: peak-tomato-season cooking, dinner parties, light summer sides
14. Simple 7-Ingredient Pasta Salad
Photo: Via Dash of Sanity
An easy pasta salad built on seven main ingredients: penne, Italian salami, cubed Monterey Jack, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and black olives in Italian vinaigrette, with an optional sprinkle of dry Italian dressing mix. The author pitches it as a crowd-pleaser for barbecues and potlucks, and it makes about 10 servings.
⏱ Total Time: about 22 minutes 👨👩👧 Serves: 10
You’ll need: Black olives, cherry tomatoes, english cucumber, italian salad dressing mix (optional), italian salami, italian vinaigrette, monterey jack cheese, penne pasta
👉 Get the full recipe at Dash of Sanity
Best for: last-minute potlucks, easy weeknight sides, beginner cooks
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