Warm weather is in, and we’re keeping summer meals cold, light, and delicious with pasta salad! We’re rounding up the best pasta salad recipes. These are perfect for all of your summer gatherings, barbecues, picnics, and easy, no fuss dinners.
These standout pasta salad recipes are not the pasta salads of the 1950s. I’ll admit, when I think of pasta salad, I typically envision Tupperware. Also, it has too much mayonnaise. However, the truth is, the modern day pasta salad is light, fresh, full of flavor, and a variety of fresh and delicious ingredients.
And we all know summer fruits and vegetables are amazing in summer recipes; so, think fresh asparagus, strawberries, grilled summer corn, freshly grown herbs, and more.
These summer pasta salads also utilize everything from bow tie pasta to tortellini to orzo to vermicelli rice noodles. Also, it has influences including Greek, Mexican, and Vietnamese.
Plus, it’s seriously hot outside, and we’re all trying to keep cooking to a minimum. Whip together one of these incredible summer pasta salad recipes. Throw it in the fridge and, in a couple of hours, dinner is served. While that yummy salad is chilling and all of the delicious flavors are coming together in a simple homemade vinaigrette.
8 Standout Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
Take the guesswork out of what to make tonight for dinner. Also, you can bring this to your neighborhood BBQ with one of these delicious, standout summer pasta salad recipes!
Want even more summer salads? See Also → 7 Delicious Copycat Restaurant Salad Recipes
Scroll down for our picks for the best summer pasta salads …
Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
It’s sweet, tangy, colorful, and fresh! Also, Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad is ready in under 20 minutes. It’s a great side dish or main for everyday eats or summer holiday gatherings.
Steak Pasta Salad
Steak pasta salad is a delicious way to sneak some protein into a pasta salad. Also, this recipe is loaded with tender steak, fresh asparagus, salty bacon and tangy Parmesan. So, you can do this by tossing all ingredients with a pasta in a creamy sauce.
Caprese Tortellini Salad with Toasted Pinenuts, Fresh Mozzarella & Tomatoes
This tortellini salad is one of my summer party go-to’s. Warm tortellini is tossed with toasted pinenuts. Also, it adds such great depth and a bit of crunch. It also has fresh mozzarella and grape or cherry tomatoes, and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. This spin on classic caprese salad never tasted so good.
Southwestern Orzo Pasta Salad
A delicious Southwestern-inspired pasta salad made with orzo pasta, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, black beans, corn, red onions and fresh cilantro, this salad is perfect for summer barbecues or potluck dinners.
Quick and Easy Vietnamese Noodle Salad
This Vietnamese noodle salad is perfect to serve in the summer! It’s full of fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables all tossed with vermicelli rice noodles and a tangy dressing.
Pasta Salad with Artichoke Hearts and Feta
This Pasta Salad with Artichoke Hearts and Feta is a real standout! Bowtie pasta loaded with artichoke hearts, feta cheese, crunchy bell peppers, red onion, tomatoes, and black olives all tossed in a delicious homemade Greek vinaigrette, makes this salad a flavor explosion.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This unique and easy to make pasta salad recipe is loaded with flavor! Basically, delicious Mexican street corn is – charred corn and pasta are tossed in a creamy chili-lime dressing and topped with cotija cheese and crispy bacon!
Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto
Not only is this caprese pasta salad bursting with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and tossed in a generous amount of homemade pesto, the whole dish comes together in less than 20 minutes. It’s the perfect lightened up dinner or side dish for a summer cookout!
SHOP THE SUMMER PASTA RECIPE POST | CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE
Love these delicious summer pasta salads? Head to our recipe page to check out what else we’re whipping up in the kitchen!
Cover Image: Caprese Pasta Salad with Pesto
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