There’s just something about a chilled, flavorful bowl of pasta salad that hits every craving. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, packing something satisfying for lunch, or just not in the mood to turn on the stove, easy pasta salad recipes are the answer.
This list is packed with quick, fresh, and flavor-packed ideas—all simple to make, but still totally irresistible.
These aren’t your soggy cafeteria-style sides. These are craveable, toss-together creations you’ll want to eat straight from the bowl.
1. Classic Italian Pasta Salad with Zesty Dressing
Ingredients List
- Rotini or penne pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Black olives
- Pepperoni slices
- Diced red onion
- Cubed mozzarella
- Italian dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the pasta, rinse it cold, and toss with all your add-ins. Pour over Italian dressing and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Variations and Tips
Try salami instead of pepperoni, or add artichoke hearts for extra zing.
Picture this
A big bowl bursting with red tomatoes, creamy cheese cubes, and glistening rotini coated in Italian herbs. It’s fresh, hearty, and ready for a patio dinner under twinkle lights.
2. Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad with Bacon and Peas
Ingredients List
- Elbow macaroni
- Frozen peas
- Chopped bacon
- Shredded cheddar
- Ranch dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions
Boil pasta, rinse under cold water, then mix with peas, crispy bacon, cheddar, and creamy ranch.
Variations and Tips
Sub Greek yogurt for half the ranch if you want a lighter twist.
Picture this
Golden spirals coated in creamy white dressing with pops of green peas and crispy bacon peeking through. It’s comfort in a bowl.
3. Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives
Ingredients List
- Bowtie pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Kalamata olives
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Crumbled feta
- Olive oil + lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix cooked pasta with chopped veggies, drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and finish with a generous sprinkle of feta.
Variations and Tips
Add fresh mint or chickpeas for a heartier version.
Picture this
Colorful wedges of tomatoes and cucumbers tossed with salty olives and creamy feta. It’s sunshine in edible form.
4. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Short pasta (fusilli works great)
- Grilled chicken
- Romaine lettuce
- Parmesan cheese
- Caesar dressing
- Croutons
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix chilled pasta with Caesar dressing, then toss in the rest just before serving so the lettuce and croutons stay crunchy.
Variations and Tips
Use rotisserie chicken to make it even faster.
Picture this
Golden pasta curls with crisp lettuce and juicy chicken slices, all coated in creamy Caesar goodness. It’s the kind of salad that eats like a meal.
5. Vegan Avocado Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Shell pasta
- Diced avocado
- Corn kernels
- Cherry tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook pasta, stir in fresh ingredients, and mash some avocado with lime for a creamy dressing.
Variations and Tips
Add black beans or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Picture this
Creamy green avocado folds around pasta shells, with flecks of cilantro and corn adding bright, sunny texture. It looks like health and indulgence in perfect balance.
6. Tuna Pasta Salad with Dill Pickles
Ingredients List
- Macaroni
- Tuna
- Diced dill pickles
- Celery
- Mayo or Greek yogurt
- A splash of pickle juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Stir all ingredients together with chilled pasta and chill before serving.
Variations and Tips
Use sweet pickles if you like a little contrast.
Picture this
Chunky tuna clings to pasta elbows, accented with pickle bites and a creamy dressing that sings with tang. Perfect for a quick lunch with crackers.
7. Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Rotini pasta
- Steamed broccoli florets
- Shredded cheddar
- Red onion
- Mayo + Dijon + a splash of vinegar
Step-by-Step Instructions
Toss pasta and chopped broccoli with creamy tangy dressing and cheddar.
Variations and Tips
Add sunflower seeds or bacon bits for crunch.
Picture this
Bright green broccoli tucked between swirls of pasta and melty cheddar. Every bite is creamy, crunchy, and just a little addictive.
8. Shrimp and Spinach Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Orzo or bowtie pasta
- Cooked shrimp
- Fresh spinach
- Cherry tomatoes
- Lemon vinaigrette
Step-by-Step Instructions
Toss chilled pasta with shrimp, tomatoes, and spinach, then drizzle with lemon vinaigrette.
Variations and Tips
Add avocado or feta for a creamy edge.
Picture this
Juicy pink shrimp laid over a bed of glossy pasta and emerald spinach. It’s elegant enough for a dinner party, but easy enough for Tuesday night.
9. BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Penne pasta
- Crispy bacon
- Cherry tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Mayo + sour cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine all ingredients except lettuce, and mix. Add lettuce right before serving to keep it crisp.
Variations and Tips
Try with ranch dressing or avocado chunks for a twist.
Picture this
Crispy bacon bits and juicy tomatoes layered on creamy pasta, with shredded lettuce adding that iconic BLT crunch.
10. Pesto Pasta Salad with Mozzarella Balls
Ingredients List
- Fusilli pasta
- Basil pesto
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mini mozzarella balls
- Pine nuts
Step-by-Step Instructions
Toss everything together once pasta is cold, then chill for 20 minutes before serving.
Variations and Tips
Use sun-dried tomato pesto or add arugula for a peppery bite.
Picture this
Glossy green pesto clings to spiraled noodles, with white mozzarella pearls and ruby-red tomatoes scattered like jewels. So simple. So stunning.
11. Southwest Pasta Salad with Black Beans
Ingredients List
- Shell pasta
- Black beans
- Corn
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Chipotle-lime dressing
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix all the chopped veggies and beans into the cooked pasta and toss with a smoky, tangy dressing.
Variations and Tips
Add grilled chicken or avocado for protein.
Picture this
A fiesta of color: orange, yellow, red, black, and green all popping against creamy chipotle dressing. It’s bold, hearty, and wildly satisfying.
12. Greek Pasta Salad with Tzatziki Dressing
Ingredients List
- Bowtie pasta
- Cucumbers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Kalamata olives
- Tzatziki sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
Toss pasta and veggies with tzatziki for a creamy, herby finish.
Variations and Tips
Top with fresh dill or add chickpeas for extra protein.
Picture this
Pasta ribbons swirled with creamy white tzatziki, chunks of cucumber and tomato shining like Mediterranean jewels. Cool, crisp, and impossibly refreshing.
13. Lemon Dill Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Penne pasta
- Sliced cucumbers
- Chopped fresh dill
- Lemon zest
- Olive oil and lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
Stir ingredients into chilled pasta, then chill before serving to let the flavors shine.
Variations and Tips
Add smoked salmon or capers for a fancy brunch version.
Picture this
Zesty lemon and fragrant dill burst from every bite, with crisp cucumber slices adding texture. It’s like a fresh breeze in your mouth.
14. Rainbow Pasta Salad with Veggie Confetti
Ingredients List
- Tri-color rotini
- Red, yellow, green bell peppers
- Shredded carrots
- Broccoli
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Step-by-Step Instructions
Mix all chopped veggies with cold pasta and drizzle with vinaigrette.
Variations and Tips
Use Italian or honey mustard dressing for a twist.
Picture this
A celebration of color—reds, oranges, yellows, greens all mixing with curly pasta in a beautiful, crunchy swirl. Pure joy in a bowl.
15. Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients List
- Penne or fusilli
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella pearls
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic glaze
Step-by-Step Instructions
Toss cooked and cooled pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Variations and Tips
Add arugula or pine nuts for extra flair.
Picture this
Tomatoes burst with juiciness, mozzarella melts into the curves of pasta, and basil leaves give it that fresh Caprese scent. It’s basically your favorite salad—just better.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—15 easy pasta salad recipes that are delicious, dependable, and downright pretty. Whether you’re planning a cozy lunch at home, packing tomorrow’s lunchbox, or need something quick for your weekend gathering, there’s a bowl of pasta salad here with your name on it.
Feel free to mix, match, and make these your own. And when you find your go-to favorite, don’t be surprised if it shows up on your table a lot.
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