Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

If it’s summer, it’s time for pasta salads! I’ve rounded up my favorite pasta salad recipes perfect for all the summer parties, BBQs, camping trips, or any time you want a delicious summer side dish.

pasta salad photo collage.

Take a scroll to check out all of the recipes, and click on the highlighted links or photos to get the recipes! Or, jump ahead using the links below to grab your favorites. Enjoy!


BLT Pasta Salad

This BLT Pasta Salad is perfect for all the summer BBQs and potlucks. It has the classic flavors of a BLT with juicy tomatoes, crispy bacon, fresh spinach, and a creamy dressing but served up pasta salad-style.

blt pasta salad.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

This Mediterranean Couscous Salad is the perfect take-along side dish when you need something to share. It serves a good amount of people, it’s easy to make, and you can prep it ahead so it’s ready to go. It combines classic Mediterranean flavors – olives, cucumbers, herbs, feta cheese, and a tangy dressing.

a scoop of Mediterranean couscous salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

This easy Italian Pasta Salad has a tangy homemade dressing and all the Italian-style ingredients like pepperoni, ham, olives, mozzarella cheese, and rotini pasta. Plus, you can make it ahead for easy summer entertaining.

zesty italian pasta salad.

Pesto Pasta Salad

This Pesto Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh asparagus, spinach, and peas. Add some chicken, pesto, and ziti, and you get a summer-fresh pasta salad ready in 30 minutes.

Pesto pasta salad in a bowl.

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

This Bow Tie Pasta Salad has a tangy vinaigrette, fresh tomatoes, black olives, fresh basil, and feta cheese for a crowd-pleasing summer side dish.

a bowl of pasta salad.

Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Crispy bacon, creamy ranch dressing, spiral pasta, peas, and two kinds of cheddar cheese – sharp and smoked. This Ranch Pasta Salad is what I consider a quintessential summer pasta salad. Crowd-friendly, easy to make, and, hello, bacon.

ranch pasta salad.

Greek Tortellini Salad

If you’re looking for an easy pasta salad to make on repeat all summer long, this Greek Tortellini Pasta salad is for you. It’s easy to make, and the flavors are bright and fresh. Fresh veggies, tender cheese tortellini, creamy feta cheese, and a delicious red wine vinegar dressing combine to make the best summer salad.

tortellini pasta salad

Orzo Pasta Salad

This Orzo Pasta Salad with broccoli, bell pepper, red onion, fresh herbs, and chickpeas is a great warm-weather side dish for BBQs and potlucks. Make it ahead so all the flavors develop, and serve it cold or at room temperature.

orzo salad in a serving dish.

I hope you try a few of these pasta salad recipes this summer!

Happy cooking,

April

More Summer Side Dishes

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