Having easy pasta salad recipes at your fingertips is a great way of shaking up this classic dish. At the next, party, potluck, or summer BBQ, be the one that brings the pasta salad that everyone looks forward to!

To make the process a little easier of choosing the perfect pasta salad we have gathered some of our best pasta salad dressings for you.

bowls of pasta with writing to show 21 Pasta Salad Recipes

Why Everyone Loves Pasta Salad

  • Pasta salads are so easy, filling and hearty dishes that can be served as a side or as the main meal.
  • As much as we love a simple pasta salad we also love that it can be made with almost any additions, any pasta, and any dressing.
  • Portable and quick to make these are the quintessential summer salad. They are the best for bringing to family gatherings, pool parties, BBQs, or potlucks.
  • If variety is the spice of life, then these salads are made to shake things up. From the creamy classics to the tangy vinaigrette, tossed with vegetables or meat, no two salads are the same.
Table of Contents
  1. Classic Pasta Salad Recipes
  2. Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes
  3. Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes

The One Pasta Salad Everyone Loves!!

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad on a plate with two pickles on top

Near and dear to my heart, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad was a recipe I created for my sister and honestly one of the best sides ever.

Every person I know absolutely LOVES it.

As often as we put pickles in pasta salad, in this recipe they’re the star of the dish!

Classic Pasta Salad Recipes

New to pasta salad or just looking for a few new ideas? Then these classic cold pasta salad recipes are a great start. Made with simple and easy pasta salad ingredients, these are sure to leave everyone full and satisfied.

Easy pasta salad is a simple-to-make dish, that can be altered for whatever is leftover in the refrigerator.

close up of an easy pasta salad in a white serving bowl with a serving spoon
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad with fresh veggies and a tangy Italian dressing is perfect for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
View the recipe

Italian pasta salad has olives, Italian seasoning, plenty of mozzarella cubes, and parmesan cheese. This has all the best flavors in the Mediterranean.

Italian Pasta Salad with spoons in a clear bowl
Italian Pasta Salad
Tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, salami, and mozzarella cheese are tossed in an Italian dressing for the perfect make-ahead side dish.
View the recipe

Macaroni salad is a classic must-try. So easy and creamy.

serving macaroni salad with a spoon
Macaroni Salad
Everyone loves this classic macaroni salad recipe! Elbow macaroni and a handful of add-ins in a simple homemade dressing.
View the recipe

Creamy tuna pasta salad is a no-fuss salad. The addition of some tuna turns it into a full meal.

Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad in a bowl
Tuna Pasta Salad
This creamy tuna pasta salad recipe makes a great meal any time of day!
View the recipe

Greek pasta salad had loads of vegetables and olives that are tossed with a tangy vinaigrette.

Greek Pasta Salad with feta
Easy Greek Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad is an easy side, perfect to prep ahead and a hit at every party or potluck! Tender pasta, ripe juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, feta cheese and olives are tossed in a Greek dressing for the perfect make ahead side dish. We often add grilled chicken to make it a complete meal.
View the recipe

Dill pickle pasta salad is flavored with the winning combination of pickles and dill. This salad is full of flavor and crunch.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad on a plate with two pickles on top
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is literally my favorite pasta salad ever! In this creamy pasta salad recipe, dill pickles play a starring role and add tons of flavor and crunch! This recipe is even better when it’s made ahead of time making it the perfect potluck dish!
View the recipe

Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salad with mayo is usually the traditional way of making a pasta salad. A creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, or yogurt is an easy way to turn that simple box of pasta into a creamy, and cold dish.

Avocado pasta salad is made with the basic creamy dressing, but with the addition of some smooth and velvety avocado.

avocado pasta salad with tomatoes in a white bowl
Avocado Pasta Salad
Avocado Pasta Salad is a rich, creamy and totally delicious pasta salad loaded with fresh juicy tomatoes, crisp bacon and creamy avocados. 
View the recipe

Broccoli pasta salad includes the addition of healthy broccoli. Toss in some cranberries and bacon for an added sweet crunch.

Broccoli Pasta Salad being stirred with two wooden spoons
Broccoli Pasta Salad
A simple pasta salad with fresh crisp broccoli, bacon and onion in a creamy homemade dressing!
View the recipe

Caesar pasta salad is a great way to turn all the flavors of a lettuce Caesar salad into a full and filling meal.

plated Caesar Pasta Salad with lemon slices
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This chicken Caesar pasta salad is loaded with the creamy richness of Caesar salad combined with juicy chicken and soft pasta.
View the recipe

Shrimp pasta salad comes together in a matter of minutes. The lemon juice adds a little zing to this creamy dressing.

two small stacked bowls with Shrimp Pasta Salad
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Shrimp Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for a potluck or party. It comes together within minutes and it’s incredibly delicious!
View the recipe

Blt pasta salad has all the flavors that make this dish so hard to resist. Because who doesn’t love the crispy bacon and lettuce crunch of a BLT?

BLT Pasta Salad in clear glass bowl
BLT Pasta Salad
A delicious pasta salad that eats like a meal!  Juicy tomatoes, crisp bacon and fresh lettuce in a cool ranch dressing!
View the recipe

Bow tie pasta salad is all dressed up for bringing to a potluck or party.

Bowtie pasta salad in a bowl with a serving spoon on the side
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
A creamy bowtie pasta salad recipe with ham, peas and cheddar cheese!
View the recipe

Creamy chicken pasta salad is packed full of protein, flavor, and color.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad in a bowl with spoons
Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is packed with flavor and color! Rotini pasta, diced chicken, and a homemade ranch dressing make this tasty side dish!
View the recipe

Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes

There are many tips and tricks on how to make pasta salad. Also, there are many variations in pasta salad dressings, from creamy to a tangy vinaigrette. Here is a compilation of recipes that take the classic pasta salad and turn it into a healthy dish with a variety of dressing flavors.

Easy orzo pasta salad is an easy way of putting a little twist into that classic pasta salad recipe. Orzo is a smaller pasta that looks like rice but tastes a little like pasta.

serving orzo pasta salad with a wooden spoon
Easy Orzo Pasta Salad
This easy orzo pasta salad is a fun Mediterranean twist on a classic pasta salad. With tomatoes, spinach, and garbanzo beans, it's packed with flavor!
View the recipe

Summer pasta salad is made with a medley of vegetables and a simple vinaigrette. This is the perfect salad for one of those hot summer days.

Summer Pasta Salad in a white bowl with a fork
Summer Pasta Salad
Garden fresh veggies and tender pasta are tossed in a simple fresh dressing.
View the recipe

Pesto pasta salad has all the delicious flavors of the Mediterranean, mozzarella cheese balls, pesto, tomatoes, and olives.

A large bowl of pesto pasta salad
Pesto Pasta Salad
Pesto pasta salad is easy to make and can be served as a side dish or main dish!
View the recipe

Caprese Pasta Salad is a bright and tangy salad that is sure to brighten up any picnic table.

close up of bowl of Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad is a bright, tangy summer salad filled with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil.
View the recipe

Spaghetti salad is a delicious way of using up that leftover spaghetti from last night’s meal.

Spaghetti salad in a white bowl with feta cheese
Favorite Spaghetti Salad
This pasta salad is served cold and tossed with Greek dressing and fresh, colorful veggies!
View the recipe

Italian tortellini salad can be made for the main show-stopping meal. Delicious cheese stuffed tortellini, ham, and all kinds of add-ins are tossed together for a filling main or side dish.

close up of Italian Tortellini Salad on a plate with a spoon and fork
Italian Tortellini Salad
Bright, flavorful, & full of fresh veggies, this Italian Tortellini Salad is the perfect dish for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
View the recipe

Asian Noodle Salad is a step away from the traditional pasta salad. Ginger sesame dressing, noodles, mandarin orange, and almonds are all tossed together for a fresh and crunchy salad.

plated Asian Noodle Salad
Asian Noodle Salad
This colorful & crunchy salad is super flavorful with a sesame ginger dressing!
View the recipe

Leave a comment below and let us know what your favorite Pasta Salad recipe is!

plated pasta dishes with a title to show 21 Pasta Salad Recipes

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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