Cold Pasta Salads That Will Be a Hit All Summer Long

By Story by Marian Cooper Cairns; Recipes by SL Test Kitchen
Greg DuPree

Mix and match these fresh, vibrant pasta salad recipes with any summer chicken, beef, pork or seafood dish. These recipes are the ultimate make-ahead food for warm weather. You can pop them in the fridge and pull them out when your hungry summertime crowd starts calling. Some of our cold pasta salad recipes make full meals thanks to the inclusion of proteins like chicken or tuna, while others are prime time sides for seasonal entrees like juicy burgers and fall-off-the-bone ribs. 

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Give These Fresh, Vibrant Pasta Salad Recipes a Try

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Tuna Pasta Salad

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad

This fresh spin on fan-favorite tuna noodle casserole will take you through the warm-weather season.

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Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipes: Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Add zing to your salads with fresh dill, or swap it for basil, mint, or parsley. For pasta, try using whole wheat for its earthy, toothsome quality; any kind will do.

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Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Pasta salad, meet three-bean salad. It's a summertime match made in heaven.

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Sweet Pea-and-Mint Pasta Toss

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet Pea-and-Mint Pasta Toss

Serve this minty side with grilled shrimp for a quick company-worthy dinner. Can't find torcetti? Use cavatappi or gemelli.

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Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Punch up this classic pairing of watermelon and feta with peppery watercress or arugula.

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Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

This versatile pasta pairs with any grilled vegetable, so use what you have on hand or what looks best at the farmers' market.

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Tomato-and-Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato-and-Gorgonzola Pasta Salad

We love juicy beefsteaks for their sweet, intense flavor. Colorful small tomatoes and any crumbled cheese work well here too.

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Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Recipe: Field Pea and Pasta Salad

You don't have to use cute little jars for serving, but we think it certainly makes a mighty enticing presentation. 

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Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Don't even think about making just one batch of this craveable pasta salad recipe. After the first bite your crowd will be declaring it a new fan favorite. 

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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Two Southern favorites collide in one out-of-this-world pasta salad. There's a reason our Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad is one of the most popular Southern Living recipes of all time. 

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Tangy Tzatziki Pasta Salad

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Tangy Tzatziki Pasta Salad

Looking for a walk on the wild side? This pasta salad has bite and is guaranteed to be a hit at your next get-together. 

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Pesto Pasta Salad

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Don't fear this homemade pesto, it will come together in a snap.

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Lemony Cucumber-and-Herb Pasta Salad

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Lemony Cucumber-and-Herb Pasta Salad

A bright, lemony vinaigrette paired with a handful of tasty ingredients like cucumber, feta, cilantro, and mint, create one of the tastiest pasta salads you'll ever meet. 

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