Pasta Salad Recipes

The weather is warming up and that means we’ll all want some fun summertime recipes that are perfect for cookouts, BBQs and parties at our fingertips. These pasta Salad Recipes are going to fit the bill.

Pasta salads are the ultimate in every way…

Simple to make, and provide the ultimate item for a party, lunch, and meal prep.

It’s so great to have an arsenal of pasta salad recipes,

recipes so delicious you’ll make them again and again!

from the most classic pasta salad… Macaroni Salad to new fun flavors you’re dying to try,

• Caprese Pasta Salad fun Italian pasta salad recipes
• Broccoli Pasta Salad Get in your veggies in this yummy pasta salad
• Green Goddess Pasta Salad best past salad recipe ever!
• Roasted Cauliflower Pasta Salad a tasty recipe with the nutty roasted flavor
• Mexican Corn Pasta Salad like Mexican street corn made into a meal
• Creamy Lemon Pasta Salad always a favorite!

If you like things that sound like salad but aren’t full of leafy greens give some of these a try:

• Chicken Salad
• Potato Salad
• Seafood Salad
• Egg Salad
• Shrimp Salad or try this dressing for Shirmp Salad
• Avocado Caprese 

 

and if you want a fun salad option make these salad dippers!

If you want a fun leafy green salad with a twist make this Taco Salad

I am a huge pasta salad fan!

Some really great flavor options come from the sauce… pesto, balsamic, lemon, Greek, green goddess, and Thai peanut sauce

and for the Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad for the pepperoni lovers… this recipe has a delicious tomato dressing it’s a true winner!

unconventional Pasta Aalad, with Tuna and Zucchini.

And if you want a lower carb options use 1/2 roasted cauliflower, quinoa, or diced zucchini in place of some or all of the pasta.

Buy or make Pesto… and give this fun pesto tomato pasta salad a go, and you like it spicy try this Jalapeno Pesto Recipe.

Oh the PASTABILITITES:

• BBQ chicken macaroni salad
• Caesar pasta salad (coming soon)
• Mexican Taco Pasta Salad (coming soon)
• BLT Pasta Salad perfect for when a bacon craving comes!
• Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad- super fun, kids love it, the tomato salad dressing tastes amazing.
• Zucchini Balsamic Pasta Salad
• Buttermilk BLT pasta salad 
• Shrimp macaroni Salad
• Buttermilk pesto

Have you found one you want to make next…

• Feta Basil Balsamic Pasta Salad
• Pesto Zucchini Pasta Salad
• Roasted Cauliflower, quinoa Pasta Salad
• Pesto Sund Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Lemon Feta Pasta Salad

 

Pasta salads have beem around for decades, one we’ve all see again and again at most bbq’s and served on the side of sandwiches and such is 

macaroni salad…  I have that, and so many more! Shrimp Macaroni Salad

Choose the pasta shape that suits your liking, smooth noodles are great for mayo based dressings, pasta with grooves and pinches parts are great for oil/vinegar based dressings 

Pesto is amazing for cold pasta salad make it or buy it in the refrigerated section.

There are so many options for pasta shapes when making pasta salad, a classic pasta salad is macaroni salad using large elbows, they cook up nicely and well and are soft and thin. Other elbow shapes can be thick and small and will result in a little chewier pasta salad.

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse the pasta in cold water. Soak the pasta in cold water to speed up the chilling process. Drain well and blot pasta with paper towels if needed to dry noodles so “sauce” does not slide off the noodles.

Toss the pasta with the sauce or salad dressing.

Add additional items or chill pasta while you finish peppering the remaining ingredients.

Large elbow noodles are smooth and make for great pasta salads, making the pasta ahead of time allows you to get recipes ready easier, and dinner on the table faster, and cooked macaroni is always great to have extra of so you can make Macaroni and Cheese!

If you chill it overnight the pasta can/will absorb extra sauce, especially if it’s not oil based salad dressing, so having a small portion reserved is ideal, so you can add it and retoss the pasta.

Since the pasta is the item that absorbs most of the dressing you can choose to layer or toss the items into the pasta and any sauce before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste.

If you’re making a pasta salad that uses Mayo, try making homemade mayo for a delicious sauce without the added sugar and preservatives.

What to eat with Classic Macaroni Salad?

This is the perfect pasta salad great for cookouts, and BBQs,  and to serve alongside hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken beef, pork… the possibilities are endless.

Thai Peanut Noodles – this recipe is delicious, add some chopped cooked chicken for added protein!

Looking for a pasta alternative for a hearty cold vegetable salad… give this Sweet Potato Thai Peanut Salad a try.

• Pepperoni Pizza Macaroni Salad – a pizza lover’s dream pasta salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad – a party favorite
• BLT Macaroni Salad – brighten up any day with this one
• Mexican Corn Macaroni Salad – SO fantastic you’ll be sure to make it often
• Feta Basil Balsamic Pasta Salad – one of my all-time favorites
• Lemon Dill Tuna Pasta Salad – a veggie-filled pasta salad
• Thai Peanut Noodles – my road trip favorite
• Lemon Pasta Salad with Asparagus – lemony and yummy
• BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad – my kids love this one, and it’s just about the most perfect dish for a BBQ

In the mood for more pasta… check out these pasta sauce recipes

And when you want to keep it super simple toss some rinsed pasta with olive oil, salt, and pepper (add crushed red pepper flakes for a little spice) mix well, and add sliced grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and Romano or Parmesan cheese. 

How long does pasta salad stay in the fridge?

Pasta Salad is good for 3-5 days in the fridge.

What to eat with pasta salad?

A fork 🙂 nice crusty toasted bread is always a great option. Fun additions to pasta salads can be the toppings, cheese, seeds, croutons, herbs and spices. Add cooked chopped chicken to add some protein.