57 Pasta Salad Recipes That Will Crush At Your Next Cookout

In this recipe, pasta salad gets a Mediterranean twist, showcasing some of our favorite flavors from that corner of the globe. And the best part—although pasta salad is usually thought of as a side, the added protein from the chickpeass will make this easy to turn into a main.

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Macaroni salad is one of our favorite things to pair with pulled pork or ribs, which is why it's such a disappointment when it's too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection ever time.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

Featuring crispy potato gnocchi, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, fresh mozzarella, and salami, this is a medley of everything you love about antipasto layered around pan-seared gnocchi that's crispy on the outside and slightly chewy beneath. 😍

Get the Gnocchi Antipasto Salad recipe.

In our opinion, pasta salad is a summertime must. We have plenty of beloved variations of this staple side dish, but this Italian-inspired recipe is our guaranteed go-to when we need a reliable BBQ side.

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It’s not so hard to eat your greens when they come in pasta salad form. Sweet baby spinach is great here, but peppery arugula or tender baby kale would work well too.

Get the Super Green Vegan Pasta Salad recipe.

A classic in diners and on dinner tables, Greek salads are filled with Mediterranean produce and flavors—briny olives meet sweet tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, and a sprinkling of feta, making for a truly filling and delicious side. The only way to improve it? Turn it into pasta salad!

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Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to any summer party.

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Warning: If you make this spicy pasta salad at your next summer cookout, be prepared to have everyone asking for the recipe. It's got just the right amount of heat, thanks to a Cajun-seasoned, mayo-based dressing you're going to love.

Get the Grilled Chicken Cajun Pasta Salad recipe.

This easy tortellini salad is ALWAYS a fave at picnics. Feel free to swap the sun-dried tomatoes here for fresh cherry tomatoes, use kale instead of spinach or bacon instead of salami, or replace the Parmesan with Pecorino or mozzarella. Anything goes!

Get the Tuscan Tortellini Salad recipe.

This super savory pasta salad is a hit at barbecues and potlucks, and hearty enough to qualify as a meal. Swapping in a tangy mustard vinaigrette for the usual mayo-based dressing lightens things up a bit, and seared chicken and crispy bacon make it satisfying enough to be a meal all on its own.

Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.

This pasta salad is a classic, featuring a homemade basil-and-pine nut pesto, a generous amount of Parmesan, and juicy grape tomatoes. It's worth getting out your nicest olive oil for this recipe since the flavor will shine through.

Get the Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

Think of this as a better taco salad (because pasta!), that's perfect for potlucks and BBQS. Trust us, once you add ground beef to pasta salad, you won't be able to stop—it's that good.

Get the Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.

This pasta salad has a creamy peanut dressing and is full of fresh, crunchy veggies with no mayonnaise in sight. It’s super-simple to make and is as delicious hot as it is cold, which means you can easily make it ahead of time (and that leftovers are BOMB).

Get the Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta Salad recipe.

This ingenious salad uses uncooked ramen noodles (plus their flavor packet) as croutons. If you're making for a picnic or BBQ, toast the noodles and marinate the cabbage and carrots ahead of time, then toss everything together before you head out.

Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.

Cowboy caviar (also known as Texas caviar) combines fresh vegetables, beans, and corn to make a colorful meal that can be enjoyed with chips or as a standalone dish. But once you add some pearl couscous? It becomes the star of any picnic or potluck.

Get the Cowboy Caviar Couscous Salad recipe.

We’re reimagining the classic macaroni salad here by adding buttery lobster meat and crispy bacon that pair perfectly with the tangy, creamy dressing. Think of this like the elevated version of your favorite BLT sandwich or lobster roll, made summer potluck-friendly.

Get the Lobster Roll Pasta Salad recipe.

These noods get coated in a sweet & spicy mayo-based dressing that can honestly go on anything. The heat of fresh ginger, garlic, and sriracha is tamed by the mayo and a touch of sugar; the creaminess of the mayo is in turn nicely balanced out by the tart rice vinegar and lime zest. Yum!

Get the Noodle Salad recipe.

Tired of your same old Caesar salad? Add chicken and penne pasta to transform it into the BBQ side dish of your dreams.

Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.

This recipe combines an Italian idea, a Spanish technique, and an American invention, and turns them into a perfectly harmonious pasta salad you’re going to want to make again and again. It’s one of those dishes that, after one taste, you’ll go: Why have I never made this before?

Get the Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad recipe.

If you love tuna salad AND macaroni salad, the only logical thing to do is bring the two together in a generous serving of spicy tuna mac. This recipe calls for quick-pickling red onion, shredded carrots, and chopped pickles while the pasta cooks so you get nicely tart and crunchy elements in every bite.

Get the Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe.