Published . Last updated By Elizabeth Lindemann   /  This post may contain affiliate links.
These pasta salad recipes are easy and delicious. One of my favorite things about pasta salads is that you can make them ahead of time. I love to keep a big batch in my fridge all week for easy meals, and they’re the perfect make-ahead side for Easter dinner, a summer BBQ, or potluck!
Whether you’re looking for a creamy, decadent Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with bacon, a lighter, healthier Caprese version, or one packed full of Greek/Mediterranean flavors, I’ve got you covered with these scrumptious recipes.
And before I go further, I’d love to share one of my favorite pasta salad tricks with you.
How to make pasta salad in advance so it doesn’t dry out!
When pasta salad sits too long in the fridge, it has a tendency to absorb most of the dressing and dry out. Luckily, there’s a super simple trick to preventing dry pasta salad that works with most pasta salad recipes.
The solution? Save half the dressing in a separate bowl or container in your fridge, and mix it in just before serving!
Or, you can also drizzle in some olive oil just before serving, if olive oil works with the recipe you’re making.
Without further ado, here are some of the best pasta salad recipes the internet has to offer!
20 Easy Pasta Salad Recipes
1
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is PACKED with super sweet corn, queso fresco, and bacon, and is tossed in a creamy chili lime dressing.
2
Caprese Pasta Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
I love how FAST and easy this Caprese Pasta Salad recipe is! Packed with sweet tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella, this 20-minute vegetarian pasta is coated in a light and creamy balsamic and olive oil dressing. This is the perfect recipe for summer!
3
20-Minute Creamy Lemony Vegetable Pasta Salad
This Creamy Lemony Vegetable Pasta Salad a quick and easy weeknight dinner or side dish. The vegetables boil with the pasta in the water, meaning less time, effort, and fewer dishes(yay!).
4
Taco Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:lmld.org
Taco Pasta Salad is a delicious pasta salad made with Mexican flavors, seasoned ground beef, crunchy nacho cheese chips, and a delicious creamy dressing! Perfect for a summer potluck or BBQ.
5
Mediterranean Chickpea and Orzo Salad
This easyChickpea and Orzo Salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavor- olives, feta, sun dried tomatoes, lemon, and garlic- combined with an awesome crunch from toasted almonds. It’s healthy because it’spacked with fiber, nutrients, and green veggies.
6
Easy Macaroni Salad Recipe {So creamy and flavorful!}
Photo Credit:platedcravings.com
This easy Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish served alongside your favorite summer foods! A classic crowd-pleaser made with hardboiled eggs, celery seed, and a creamy dressing.
7
Four Ingredient Pesto Pasta Salad
This pesto pasta saladis the PERFECTwarm-weather meal: it’s fast, easy, and(maybe you already got this from the title)it uses only four ingredients!Pasta, Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese.
8
Ham and Cheese Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:www.berlyskitchen.com
Ham and cheese pasta salad made with cubes of smoked ham, cheddar cheese, and tossed with ranch dressing. A cool Summer dish for your next BBQ!
9
Greek Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
This Greek Pasta Salad with Herb Vinaigrette is the PERFECT healthy Mediterranean meal or side dish. It uses only half the amount of pasta than usual since it’s packed full of other nutritiousingredients- like white beans,tons of baby arugula, and fresh veggies.
10
Tuna Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:tastesbetterfromscratch.com
ThisTuna Pasta Saladwith shell noodles, peas, tuna, celery, and Greek yogurt is fast, healthy, and a dish your whole family can enjoy!
11
Italian Tortellini Salad with Chicken and Zucchini
Served cold, this Italian Tortellini Salad with shredded rotisserie chicken and fresh zucchini is the perfect easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights! And it’s so easy to make ahead of time for picnics or potlucks.
12
Skinny Avocado Ranch Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:lifecurrentsblog.com
Skinny Avocado Ranch Pasta Salad is a nice creamy flavorful summer side dish with loads of mix-ins like avocado, corn, and red onion.
13
BLT Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead side or main recipe, with torn romaine, thick-cut bacon, and sweet cherry tomatoes in a creamy garlic-herb dressing.
14
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:vikalinka.com
Green Goddess Pasta Salad with cherry tomatoes, artichokes, arugula and mozzarella is sure to become a firm favorite.
15
Seafood Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:julieblanner.com
A light and refreshing Seafood Pasta Salad recipe for a lunch you can enjoy all week or side dish for get togethers! This Shrimp Pasta Salad is so easy and uses just a few ingredients. It’s the ultimate summer pasta salad!
16
Mexican Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:www.fivehearthome.com
Fiesta Pasta Salad is a Mexican pasta salad loaded with corn, black beans, tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, and a fresh lime vinaigrette for a zesty, flavorful, summer side dish!
17
Gluten-Free Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:lexiscleankitchen.com
Grilled chicken, a dairy-free caesar dressing, crisp romaine lettuce, bacon, and ripe summer tomatoes come together perfectly in this Gluten-Free Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad! The perfect make-ahead lunch, BBQ side, or dinner for any night of the week!
18
Summer Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Corn and Pancetta
Photo Credit:hungerthirstplay.com
Fresh corn, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado team up with salty pancetta, garlic and cheese for an easy to make and hard to forget summer pasta salad.
19
Shrimp Boil Pasta Salad
Photo Credit:thesaltymarshmallow.com
Shrimp Boil Pasta Salad is easy, creamy, and packed full of amazing flavor for the best shrimp pasta salad ever! Everyone will be asking for this pasta salad recipe!
20
Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad (Vegan!)
Photo Credit:detoxinista.com
This Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad is packed with oven-roasted veggies and tossed in a creamy, dairy-free sauce. It’s a complete plant-based dinner, with 14 grams of protein per serving. The leftovers make a great packed lunch, too!
Do you have a favorite pasta salad recipe you make again and again? Leave it in the comments below, I’d love to hear about them and add to this list!
