22 Cold Pasta Salads For Easy Meals All Summer Long

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Pasta salad is a refreshing dish that always deserves a spot in our picnic spreads. You can always bet there will be a cool pasta salad on a potluck side dish lineup.

With colorful summer veggies and bright vinaigrettes, these pasta salad recipes will be a hit with your family. 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. Pop them in the fridge for when your hungry summertime crowd starts calling. Some of our cold pasta salad recipes make full meals thanks to proteins like chicken or tuna, while others are prime-time sides for seasonal entrees like juicy burgers and fall-off-the-bone ribs. With so many tasty options, you're sure to find a new family favorite as you try these pasta salad recipes all summer long.

01 of 22

Tuna Pasta Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad
Caitlin Bensel

This fresh spin on fan-favorite tuna noodle casserole will take you through the warm-weather season. Vinaigrette replaces mayonnaise to brighten up this classic salad that’s filled with fresh vegetables and flavor. This dish can also be served at room temperature.

02 of 22

Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes

Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette
Hector Sanchez

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.

03 of 22

Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Three-Bean Pasta Salad
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Pasta salad, meet three-bean salad. It's a summertime match made in heaven. A lemony vinaigrette adds zing.

04 of 22

Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad

Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Punch up this classic pairing of watermelon and feta with peppery watercress or arugula. Top with an easy Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette that will be your new go-to.

05 of 22

Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad

Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad
Hector Manuel Sanchez

This versatile pasta pairs with any grilled vegetable, so use what you have on hand or what looks best at the farmers' market. Refrigerated cheese-and-spinach tortelloni makes for a quick, filling salad.

06 of 22

Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Field Pea and Pasta Salad
Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Julia Levy

You don't have to use cute little jars for serving, but we think it certainly makes a mighty enticing presentation. Add rotisserie chicken to make this veggie-filled salad a perfect summer meal.

07 of 22

Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Alison Miksch

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.

08 of 22

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
Jennifer Davick

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.

09 of 22

Tangy Tzatziki Pasta Salad

Tangy Tzatziki Pasta Salad
Jennifer Davick

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.

10 of 22

Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Micah A. Leal

Bacon and ranch are a match made in heaven, and this pasta salad recipe is even further proof. Cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese round out the wow factor in this creamy dish.

11 of 22

Chicken Tortellini Salad

Chicken Tortellini Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This simple recipe makes use of store-bought ingredients like refrigerated tortellini and rotisserie chicken. Black-eyed peas, corn, and tomatoes make this a must for any summer gathering.

12 of 22

Tangy Chickpea Pasta Salad

Tangy Chickpea Pasta Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Up your lunch game with this fresh Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad. This recipe sneaks in good-for-you ingredients like chickpeas and eggplant.

13 of 22

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham

Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham
Jen Causey

What’s a summer get-together without this creamy classic? This easy make-ahead recipe is similar to the old-school layered salads you remember from Grandma's house.

14 of 22

Pintos and Peppers Pasta Salad

Pintos and Peppers Pasta Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

This pasta salad has all the Tex-Mex flavors you love without all the heavy sour cream and cheese. Charred poblano chile and charred corn add a smoky flavor, while a lemony vinaigrette adds tang.

15 of 22

Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing

Spring Shrimp-and-Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This springy salad is the furthest thing from a sad desk lunch. With three cups of veggies packed in, this is a salad you’ll feel good about.

16 of 22

Farmers' Market Pasta Salad

Farmers’ Market Pasta Salad
Hector Sanchez

All your fresh summer favorites—heirloom tomatoes, corn, zucchini, and peaches—make an appearance in this colorful recipe. Substitute cheese-filled tortellini for the penne for a heartier dish.

17 of 22

Dilly Bean Pasta Salad

Dilly Bean Pasta Salad
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

You only need a few ingredients for this bright pasta salad recipe that you can add chicken or shrimp to for more protein. Serve on the side of your favorite burger, or add rotisserie chicken for a light meal.

18 of 22

Summer Tortellini Salad

Tortellini Salad
Ralph Anderson

Dress up store-bought tortellini with olives, peppers, onion, herbs, and a simple vinaigrette. Pre-cooked chicken, or even tuna, makes this a quick and easy dinner.

19 of 22

Summer Orzo Salad

summer orzo salad in a blue bowl
Photographer and Prop stylist: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray

Add leafy greens like arugula to turn this into a main dish-worthy salad. Customize this recipe with additions like grilled steak or charred corn, and top with pistachios for crunch.

20 of 22

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas

Lemon Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with Field Peas
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

This is one of our Test Kitchen's latest and greatest creations in pasta salad, and you'll make it all season. Use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand to make the bright lemon vinaigrette.

21 of 22

Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil

Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Arugula, heirloom tomatoes, country ham, and goat cheese pack this pasta salad with a unique flavor blend. The pasta absorbs the fresh herb vinaigrette, so top with more just before serving.

22 of 22

Broccoli Pesto Pasta

Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely

This vibrant pasta salad features a pesto sauce with a broccoli base. Add frozen peas for more texture. This dish makes a great cold pasta salad, but if you can’t wait for it to chill, it can also be eaten warm out of the skillet.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles