Cold pasta salad recipes are THE lunch and dinner solution for hot summer days.
If I had to live off one main dish in the summer months, cold pasta salad might be it.
There’s so much to love about these pasta-and-veggie concoctions. They just scream “summertime.”
Unlike salad greens, these dishes can often be made ahead of time, and last much longer in the fridge.
And did you know that cold pasta can have a lower glycemic index, so it doesn’t raise your blood sugar like that plate of steaming spaghetti?
In the recipes below, I’m sharing a cornucopia of cold pasta salad recipes that are sure to please a wide range of taste buds.
Be sure to bookmark this post so you can enjoy your favorites all summer long!
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1| Caprese Pasta Salad
This is a pasta version of the classic caprese salad. If you can’t find bocconcini cheese, you can substitute mozzarella (think fresh farmer’s market mozzarella!).
The homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing ties it all together for a simple, fresh meal.
2| Pasta Salad with Corn and Edamame
Roasted corn, edamame and onion give this pasta salad recipe depth with a unique blend of summer veggies!
This would be a great dish for summer potlucks.
3| Asian Pasta Salad with Ginger Dressing
A dressing with siracha, soy sauce and toasted sesame oil transforms basic rotini pasta and fresh vegetables into a vibrant Asian pasta salad.
You can use gluten-free pasta or add shredded chicken for protein, if desired.
4| Spring Lemon Orzo Salad Recipe
This bright pasta dish is as flavorful as it is beautiful.
It’s also packed with nutrition with the addition of asparagus, chickpeas, radishes and fresh herbs.
5| Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes & Pine Nuts
A great make-ahead meal, this pasta salad features sun dried tomatoes.
If you have dehydrated tomatoes from your summer garden (one of my favorite ways to preserve tomatoes), you could use those and add olive oil.
6| Easiest Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad comes together in 20 minutes!
With Sliced Pepperoni, you have a kid-friendly pasta that’s perfect for summer lunches.
7| Lemony Kale Pasta Salad with Pistachio Nuts
A healthy chickpea pasta salad with fresh lemon juice and pistachio nuts. Light and delicious!
8| Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad
Packed with protein with salmon and hard boiled eggs, this pasta salad makes a complete meal.
You could also use leftover cooked salmon as a shortcut.
9| Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Anyone else on a buffalo chicken kick lately? (Btw, I recently learned it’s great as a quesadilla filling.)
This cold pasta salad recipe contains all the goodness of buffalo dip, along with fresh corn off the cob, bleu cheese, and avocado. Yum!
10| Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad
A unique take on pasta salad with roasted butternut squash and pumpkin seeds!
Tahini and maple syrup are also featured in the dressing; it’s a must-try side dish for summer dinners.
11| Super Tasty Seafood Pasta Salad
With shrimp, crab and lots of savory spices, this meal will taste like something from your favorite oceanside restaurant.
12| Easy California Cobb Pasta Salad
Bacon, bleu cheese and ham…it’s the making of your new favorite cookout side.
This pasta salad would also be great for a light summer lunch.
13| Hawaiian Macaroni Pasta Salad
This slightly sweet Hawaiian Macaroni Pasta is calling my name this summer.
You can’t go wrong with flavors that include pineapple and apple cider vinegar for a tropical, tangy dish.
14| Cucumber Pasta Salad
A creamy pasta salad with the quintessential vegetable of summer (at least in my garden): cucumbers!
Made with a vegan ranch dressing, this a lighter version of the classic dish.
15| Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Tortellini is one of our family’s favorite pastas!
In this hearty salad, roasted eggplant, zucchini, asparagus and peppers make the vegetable base, and it’s tossed with delicious pesto. If you add the Italian salami, you have a complete summer meal.
16| Trader Joe’s Ravioli Pasta
Another cheese-filled pasta delight; this one is ready in 10 minutes!
You’ll love the comfort-food-in-a-salad feeling in this recipe made with Trader Joe’s fresh ravioli and Goddess Dressing.
17| Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This cold pasta salad recipe gets a kick from a blend of chili powders, onions and cilantro, all tossed together with grilled corn, cotija cheese and Mexican crema (just to name a few of the mouthwatering flavors).
18| Greek Pasta Salad
This dish features a Greek-inspired rainbow of ingredients, including olives and pepperoncinis.
It makes for a beautiful plate, and a one that’s bursting with bold Mediterranean flavor.
19| Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Caesar salad gets a major upgrade with pasta, crispy chicken and a creamy homemade sauce with a Greek yogurt base.
(Chicken Nuggets or Chicken Strips from Butcherbox would be great in this.)
You’ll want to try this amazing Chicken Caesar Pasta for dinner this summer.
Read next: Butcherbox Review for Families
20| High Protein Pasta Salad
This rich and creamy pasta meal includes both high-protein pasta, ham, chicken, and chickpeas!
This dish would be great to meal prep for filling lunches on the go this summer.
21| Cold Ramen Noodle Salad
We’ve been enjoying homemade ramen soup this winter, and the brown rice & millet ramen that we like best is also used in this cold Ramen salad.
It’s tossed with a homemade dressing that’s jam-packed with zesty flavor!
22| Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing
Sweet & savory mingle in Strawberry Pasta Salad, including salad greens and a from-scratch balsamic vinegar dressing.
23| Chicken Macaroni Salad
With shredded chicken, fresh veggies and parsley, this pasta salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Use leftover rotisserie chicken and repurpose it for a fresh summer main dish.
24| Taco Pasta Salad
It’s all your favorite taco flavors, in a cold pasta salad recipe!
I know this is a recipe our taco-loving kids will enjoy. You can use a package of taco seasoning to keep it simple, or make your own.
25| Deviled Egg Pasta Salad Recipe
This pasta features hard-boiled eggs and macaroni noodles for a simple, delicious pasta packed with nutrition. And it just looks like sunshine in a bowl!
I think this would be a great way to use up all those colored eggs after Easter, too.
26| Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
Another great cold pasta salad recipe, featuring strawberries and creamy avocados.
With spinach and a simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing, this could easily become a seasonal favorite.
Cold Pasta Salad Recipes to Take You Through Summer
These are some of the best cold pasta salad recipes I’ve found across the internet.
Having a variety of fridge-to-table fare makes it simple to enjoy a refreshing meal on the back deck with family and friends all summer long.
I hope you enjoy testing and finding your new pasta salad favorites as you enjoy the tastes of summer!
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Cheap & Healthy Summer Snack Ideas
Easy Freezer Meal Recipes for Summer
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Our Favorite Crockpot Freezer Meals
Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry
