Pasta salad recipes are a fantastic alternative that can be personalised to your preferences throughout the summer when light and refreshing meals are most appropriate. These salads are excellent for potlucks, picnics, and simple weeknight meals.
The nicest part about them is that you can prepare them in advance and chill them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. You may find a range of mouth-watering and simple summer pasta salad recipes in this compilation. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from traditional Italian flavours to southwestern-inspired ingredients.
Here are 15 ideas for tasty and simple summer pasta salads:
Table of Contents
- 1. Caprese Pasta Salad
- 2. Greek Pasta Salad
- 3. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- 4. Italian Pasta Salad
- 5. Shrimp and Avocado Pasta Salad
- 6. Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables
- 7. Tuna Pasta Salad
- 8. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- 9. Southwestern Pasta Salad
- 10. Greek Pasta Salad
- 11. Caprese Pasta Salad
- 12. Asian Noodle Salad
- 13. Southwest Pasta Salad
- 14. Pesto Pasta Salad
- 15. Tuna Pasta Salad
- Conclusion
1. Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Place the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and chopped basil in a large bowl.
3. Add salt and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
4. Combine everything by tossing it all together.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
2. Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta with the cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, black olives, and cherry tomatoes in a big bowl.
3. Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
3. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 2 cups cooked and diced chicken breast
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the prepared pasta, cooked chicken breast, diced chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, and parsley in a sizable bowl.
3. To taste, add salt and pepper to the dish.
4. Combine everything by tossing it all together.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
4. Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Place the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, red bell pepper, and parsley in a big bowl.
3. Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
5. Shrimp and Avocado Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 lb. cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, shrimp, diced avocado, red onion, and cilantro in a big bowl.
3. Combine the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
6. Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup pesto
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Set oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
2. Combine olive oil, salt, and pepper with the cut zucchini, red bell pepper, and red onion. On a baking sheet, arrange the vegetables in a single layer.
3. Roast vegetables for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are soft and just beginning to brown.
4. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
5. Combine the cooked pasta, roasted vegetables, and pesto in a big bowl. Combine by tossing.
6. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
7. Tuna Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 2 cans tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, drained tuna, celery, red onion, and parsley in a big bowl.
3. Combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
8. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1/2 cup diced bacon, cooked
- 1/2 cup diced cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Place the cooked pasta, cooked bacon, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in a sizable bowl.
3. Stir in the ranch dressing before adding it to the bowl.
4. To taste, add salt and pepper to the dish.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
9. Southwestern Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, red bell pepper, red onion, corn, black beans, and cilantro in a big bowl.
3. Combine the olive oil, lime juice, chilli powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
10. Greek Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1/2 cup sliced Kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup diced cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Place the cooked pasta, feta cheese, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley in a large bowl.
3. Combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
11. Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil in a large bowl.
3. Combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
12. Asian Noodle Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. soba noodles
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 tbsp. honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare soba noodles as directed on the package until they are al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked soba noodles with the red cabbage, carrots, onions, and cilantro in a big bowl.
3. Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
13. Southwest Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, and all other ingredients in a big bowl.
3. Combine the lime juice, cumin, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
14. Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, black olives, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and basil in a big bowl.
3. Combine the prepared pesto sauce with the red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
15. Tuna Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. pasta
- 1 can tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup diced pickles
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare pasta as directed on the package until it is al dente. Drain and then run a cold water rinse.
2. Combine the cooked pasta, tuna, celery, red onion, pickles, and parsley in a sizable bowl.
3. Combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Pour the pasta salad with the dressing and toss to mix.
5. Before serving, let the food cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Conclusion
A tasty and convenient way to have a cool supper in the summer is with a pasta salad. With so many alternatives available, you may create a salad that suits your preferences and try out various ingredients and sauces.
There is a recipe for everyone to try, whether you’re looking for a traditional Italian pasta salad or something with a little more spice and flavour. The best part is that these salads are simple to prepare in advance, allowing you to spend more time with loved ones and friends while the weather is warm. Try these dishes for a delicious summer supper!