Looking for Easy Cold Pasta Salad Recipes for summer? You will find over 34 options here, perfect for BBQs, light lunches, picnics or busy weeknights. Fuss-free, family-friendly and full of flavour!
When the sun's out and the last thing you fancy is standing over a hot cooker, cold pasta salads are an absolute lifesaver.
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Whether you’re heading to a picnic, want a filling lunch, firing up the BBQ & need a tasty side dish or just need something quick to pull out of the fridge on a warm evening, these cold summer pasta salad recipes are the answer.
There’s a mix of everything – veggie-packed options, allergy-friendly and vegan choices, some with meat or fish, but they are all delicious and easy to throw together.
And if you’re wondering what to serve on the side, I’ve got you sorted with 21 tasty ideas to go with pasta salad,too!
There are loads of recipes in this round-up, so to make things easier, I’ve broken them down into sections – like meaty ones, veggie options and more.
Just use the table of contents below to jump to the type you fancy, so you can find what you are looking for quickly!
🍴 Chicken Pasta Salads
Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad is the perfect BBQ side or quick summer dinner!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: ourhomemadeeasy.com
Cold Chicken Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
Discover this easy cold chicken pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing—ideal for a quick, refreshing meal any time of day!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: eatyourbeets.com
Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad
This Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh ingredients, has a simple dressing, and is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: pumpkinnspice.com
Marinated Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Salad
Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Salad is a summer lunch with broccoli, thyme-marinated chicken, bell pepper, onion, basil and feta cheese drizzled with olive oil.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: thefoodolic.com
🍴Meat Pasta Salads
Pasta Salad With Chorizo & Roasted Red Pepper
This Pasta Salad With Chorizo & Roasted Red Peppers is the perfect side dish for a summer BBQ or light lunch! Bursting with vibrant flavours, it can easily be adapted to be gluten-free.
Full Recipe Here
Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is packed with chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed with pasta in a creamy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect as a hearty main or a crowd-pleasing side for picnics and BBQs!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: rosebakes.com
Fire Roasted Pepper & Bacon Spicy Pasta Salad
Like a pasta salad with a kick? This Fire Roasted Pepper & Bacon Spicy Pasta Salad will be your new favorite BBQ & picnic side this summer!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: wholemadeliving.com
🍴Fish & Seafood Pasta Salads
Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad (No Mayo)
This Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad with no mayo is the perfect make-ahead dish for a summer BBQ, potluck or a nutritious packed lunch. Ready in just 15 minutes, this flavourful, crunchy salad is sure to be a new favourite!
Full Recipe Here
Salmon Pasta Salad with Maple Glaze
Sweet, sticky maple-glazed salmon on top of a fresh, creamy pasta salad. A high-protein, easy meal for lunch or dinner.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: foodforfitness.co.uk
Shrimp Macaroni Salad With Cajun Spices
Easy shrimp macaroni salad is the perfect side dish for your next picnic or barbecue! This southern shrimp macaroni salad is full of flavour!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: cheneetoday.com
Cold Linguine Pasta Salad
A change from your typical pasta salad, this Linguine Pasta Salad is loaded with veggies and an easy vinaigrette!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: lynnswayoflife.com
🍴Vegetarian Pasta Salads
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Looking for a fresh twist on pasta salad, you need to try this Caprese Pasta Salad recipe with mozzarella, tomatoes & basil.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: cookeatgo.com
Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Italian-flavored tortellini pasta salad features tortellini, grilled vegetables, salami & Provolone cheese in a homemade pesto dressing.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: cravingsomethinghealthy.com
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
This Bruschetta Pasta Salad is basically summer in a bowl. It’s got all the fresh, garlicky goodness of classic bruschetta—think juicy tomatoes, basil, and a hit of balsamic—tossed with pasta to make it a little heartier.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: thecookingduo.com
Halloumi Pasta Salad with Greek Herb Vinaigrette
This Halloumi pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, grilled eggplant, and pan-seared halloumi cheese dressed in a Greek Herb Vinaigrette!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: thesageapron.com
Creamy Dill Pasta Salad
Creamy Dill Pasta Salad - A flavorful, unique pasta salad made with fresh vegetables, delicious shrimp and a creamy dill dressing.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: bitzngiggles.com
Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
This colorful and flavorful Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad is the perfect summer dish! It’s so quick and easy to make strawberry pasta salad.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: budgetdelicious.com
Creamy Coleslaw Pasta Salad
This awesome recipe for coleslaw pasta salad is made with basic dressing ingredients and is a cozy, dreamy kind of side dish.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: xoxobella.com
Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad With Roasted Vegetables
This walnut pesto pasta salad with roasted vegetables features crisp-tender veg, rich mozzarella, and a bright, fresh pesto to finish it off.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: parsleyandparm.com
🍴Vegan Pasta Salads
Vegan Tuna Pasta Salad
This creamy pasta dish features a flavorful “tuna” substitute made from chickpeas and hearts of palm and a tangy dressing to bring it all together.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: nutsandtwigs.com
Vegan Pea Pasta Salad with Creamy Tofu Ranch and Seitan Ham
Looking for a creamy vegan pasta salad that’s not heavy and full of real flavour without needing to chop a million veggies? You’ll love this.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: plantpowercouple.com
🍴Italian Pasta Salads
No-Fuss Italian Pasta Salad
This easy Italian Pasta Salad recipe is a speedy summer favorite. A quick cold pasta salad recipe perfect for picnics, BBQs, camping, road trips & summer meals.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: packedforlife.com
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Not your average pasta salad - salami, herbs, two cheeses and a creamy dressing make this Italian pasta salad seriously irresistible.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: thecinnamonjar.com
Antipasto Pasta Salad
This easy and addictively delicious Antipasto Pasta Salad is the perfect contender for potlucks or meal prepping.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: gypsyplate.com
Marry Me Pasta Salad
Marry Me Pasta Salad takes all the rich, creamy flavors you love from the famous Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a cold, hearty salad. It’s parmesan cheesy, tangy, and packed with that same
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: troprockin.com
🍴Orzo Pasta Salads
Summer Orzo Pasta Salad With Feta, Lemon & Cherry Tomatoes
The perfect summer dish! Whip up this zingy Summer Orzo Pasta Salad With Feta, Lemon & Cherry Tomatoes in under 20 minutes! Packed full of fresh herbs this is a great accompaniment to any BBQ or potluck. Includes dairy-free and gluten-free options too!
Full Recipe Here
Orzo Pesto Salad
This orzo pesto salad is the perfect summer salad. It’s packed with ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and topped with toasted pine nuts.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: uglyducklingbakery.com
Lemon Basil Orzo Salad
This Lemon Basil Orzo Salad is the perfect side dish or light lunch for summer! Fresh and flavorful, and simple to make!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: joyfulbalanceonline.com
Rainbow orzo salad
Vibrant and delicious, this rainbow orzo salad is a picnic-perfect summer salad bursting with colours and flavours.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: greenbowl2soul.com
🍴Unique and Creative Pasta Salads
Sundried tomato pasta salad
Sundried tomato pasta salad-a hearty vegetarian salad bursting with flavours. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and lunches.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: greenbowl2soul.com
Thai Pasta Salad
Thai Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for summer meals. It’s quick, refreshing, and full of fresh veggies!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: cinnamonandsageco.com
Greek Pasta Salad
Greek salad is possibly the most loved summer salad on the Mediterranean. This version is an even tastier version: Greek Pasta Salad!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: chefspencil.com
Mexican Macaroni Salad
Spice up your picnic with Mexican Macaroni Salad, a zesty twist on a classic dish bursting with South-of-the-border flavors.
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: cookingupmemories.com
Protein Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a salad that’s hearty enough to be a main but still fresh and light, this Protein Pasta Salad has got you covered. Packed with savory chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing!
Full Recipe Here
Photo credit: thatproteinlife.com
Got a favourite? Let me know in the comments section below & if you’ve got a go-to pasta salad recipe I’ve missed, I’d love to hear about it there too!
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