Summer is the perfect time to indulge in refreshing and flavorful pasta salads. These versatile dishes are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to prepare, making them ideal for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings.
From creamy mayo-based dressings to zesty vinaigrettes, these summer pasta salad recipes offer a wide range of flavors to suit every palate. So, grab your favorite pasta, fresh veggies, and let’s dive into these mouthwatering creations!
#1. Classic Creamy Pasta Salad with Mayo
Kick off our list with a timeless favorite – the creamy pasta salad with mayo. This crowd-pleaser is a staple at summer gatherings, and for good reason. The combination of tender pasta, crisp veggies, and a rich, tangy mayo dressing is simply irresistible.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb elbow macaroni or your preferred pasta shape
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta, celery, bell peppers, red onion, and parsley to the dressing. Toss until well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#2. Jamie Oliver’s Best Pasta Salad
Leave it to Jamie Oliver to create a pasta salad that’s bursting with fresh flavors. This recipe combines cherry tomatoes, olives, basil, and a zesty dressing for a taste of summer in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz small shell pasta
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup red cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, adding the garlic cloves during the last 5 minutes. Drain and set the garlic aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, olives, chives, basil, and cucumber.
- Mash the cooked garlic cloves and whisk them with the vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
#3. Summer Pasta Salad with Chicken
Packed with protein and fresh veggies, this summer pasta salad with chicken is a complete meal in itself. The combination of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a tangy dressing is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#4. BLT Pasta Salad with Bacon
Bring the classic flavors of a BLT sandwich to your pasta salad with this irresistible recipe. Crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy ranch dressing make this dish a surefire hit.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, ranch dressing mix, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#5. Caprese Pasta Salad
Capture the essence of summer with this Caprese pasta salad. Fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella come together in a delightful combination that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#6. Greek Pasta Salad
Transport your taste buds to the Mediterranean with this Greek-inspired pasta salad. Feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a zesty lemon dressing make this dish a refreshing and flavorful choice.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#7. Southwest Pasta Salad
Spice up your summer with this Southwest-inspired pasta salad. Packed with black beans, corn, and a zesty lime dressing, this dish is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 1 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#8. Pesto Pasta Salad
Bring the vibrant flavors of basil pesto to your summer pasta salad with this delightful recipe. Packed with fresh veggies and a creamy pesto dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#9. Tuna Pasta Salad
Add a protein-packed twist to your summer pasta salad with this tuna-infused recipe. Flaky tuna, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing make this dish a refreshing and satisfying choice.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained and flaked
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tuna, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
#10. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Indulge in the irresistible combination of crispy bacon and tangy ranch dressing with this summer pasta salad recipe. It’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, ranch dressing mix, salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
These summer pasta salad recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and keep you refreshed during the warm months. From classic creamy mayo-based dressings to zesty vinaigrettes, there’s something for everyone.
So, fire up the grill, gather your friends and family, and enjoy these delectable pasta salads all summer long!
