Easy Pasta Salad Recipes

Summer Tortellini Salad

Cheese-filled tortellini pasta is complemented by salty green and black olives and crunchy red bell peppers and onions. A tangy vinegar-based dressing is loaded with herbes de Provence to coat all of the ingredients with a variety of aromatic flavors.

• Recipe: Summer Tortellini Salad

Shrimp-and-Pasta Salad

This elegant salad can be served as a main dish for a dinner party or simply tossed together for a casual picnic side. The zesty lemon dressing picks up earthy flavors from mint and tarragon but has a hint of spice from crushed red pepper flakes. Juicy raspberries and cool cucumber chunks create a colorful presentation.

• Recipe: Shrimp-and-Pasta Salad

Supper Ideas from the Pros
Test Kitchen Professional Rebecca Gordon shows you how to cook Shrimp-and-Pasta Salad for supper tonight.

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Peanut-Noodle Salad

Inspired by the classic Thai dish pad thai, this noodle salad incorporates a variety of vegtables and flavors but leaves plenty of room for add-ons and creativity. For a main dish meal, add precooked shredded chicken or slices of beef. You can can serve this dish hot, cold, or at room temperature.

• Recipe: Peanut-Noodle Salad

Confetti Pasta Salad

Feta cheese, grape tomatoes, and red onion give this salad Greek flair, and star ingredient dill adds a punch of flavor to the combination. Even though this salad is delicious immediately after it comes together, we recommend chilling it for a few hours in the refrigerator to enhance all the flavors.

• Recipe: Confetti Pasta Salad

Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad

This Italian-inspired salad uses basic ingredients and is easy to prepare. You can add in a few tablespoons of store-bought pesto to bring out the flavors of the fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts.

• Recipe: Fresh Pesto Pasta Salad

Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad

This salad includes just about everything but the kitchen sink, but feel free to add any extra vegetables or herbs of your choice. Artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, smoked mozzarella chunks, and chopped green chiles create a great mix of flavors while pine nuts add a finishing crunch. The rotini pasta is perfect for holding the dressing, but substitute the pasta of your choice if desired.

• Recipe: Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Green Bean, Grape, and Pasta Toss

Crunchy green beans and crisp bacon are always a wonderful flavor pairing, and the addition of red grapes makes for a sweet surprise. Cook the penne pasta al dente so it holds up when tossed with the dressing and beans.

• Recipe: Green Bean, Grape, and Pasta Toss

Shrimp Pasta Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

Creamy herb-infused Green Goddess Dressing is the star of this salad. We used yellow bell peppers; substitute a variety of peppers to add flavor and color.

• Recipe: Shrimp Pasta Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

Mustard-Dill Tortellini Salad Skewers

When served on skewers, this pasta salad makes a beautifully presented appetizer or first course. If you are pressed for time or want to make it a meal, skip the skewers and toss all of the ingredients in a bowl with dressing just before serving.

• Recipe: Mustard-Dill Tortellini Salad Skewers

Thai Noodle Salad

Fresh jalapeño peppers and cilantro give this Asian pasta salad a kick of heat while mild cucumber, peanuts, and honey create a balance of flavors.  Find fish sauce in the ethnic food section of your supermarket or at specialty Asian food stores. This noodle salad is great for a weeknight meal and also fun for a festive party.

• Recipe: Thai Noodle Salad