What To Serve With Pasta Salad - 21 Delicious Ideas

Wondering what to serve with pasta salad? Check out these 21 delicious ideas to serve with your next summer BBQ. Meat, fish and vegan options to choose from!

orzo pasta tomatoes and cucumber with herbs in a white bowl and a gold spoon

Pasta salad is a summer staple. Served alongside a BBQ or picnic, it screams sunshine!

I love pasta salad so much, you can eat it hot or cold and add whatever ingredients you fancy to it!

It’s also a great quick & simple dinner dish to serve at any time of year as you can easily prepare it in advance.

A couple of my favourite pasta salads are Chorizo & Red Bell Pepper & Summer Orzo Pasta Salad With Feta & Lemon.

But what goes with pasta salad? Here are some delicious ideas for what to serve with pasta salad to make a complete and satisfying meal.

Jump to:

What Is Pasta Salad?
What To Eat With Pasta Salad
⭐ Meat & Fish Dishes
⭐ Veggie & Vegan Dishes
💬 Pasta Salad FAQ
💬 Comments

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What Is Pasta Salad?

Pasta salad is a delicious & refreshing dish that typically consists of cooked pasta mixed with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meats, cheeses, and dressing. The pasta is usually boiled until it is al dente, meaning it is cooked to be firm to the bite but not mushy. The ingredients are then combined with the pasta and dressed with either a vinaigrette, creamy dressing, or other flavourful sauce.

Pasta salad can be served cold or at room temperature, making it a popular choice for picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor gatherings. It's a versatile dish that can be customised to suit different tastes and dietary preferences and can be made with a wide variety of pasta shapes and ingredients.

chorizo and red pepper pasta salad with bowtie pasta in a white bowl

What To Eat With Pasta Salad

Here you will find 21 delicious side dishes that are the perfect accompaniment to pasta salad.

There are plenty of meat and fish dishes, along with lots of vegan & veggie choices too!

Lots of the dishes have either dairy-free, egg-free or gluten-free options, as well as dishes free from other food allergens, so there is something here for everyone.

⭐ Meat & Fish Dishes

1. Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

These Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are deliciously tender and juicy and make the perfect filling for a shish kebab (or kabob). No air fryer? You can easily cook these under the grill too!

Chicken Skewers Recipe

Two chicken shish kebabs on sticks laying on top of salad and pitta bread on a white plate.

2. Lamb Kofta Wraps

Juicy spiced lamb kofta wraps served with fresh, cool yoghurt sauce and crisp & crunchy salad. Easily adaptable to be dairy free & gluten free!

Lamb Kofta Recipe

Two lamb koftas drizzled with yoghurt of a bed of salad and a flatbread on a plate with a wedge of lemon.

3. Five Guys Copycat Burger

This Five Guys Copycat Burger Recipe tastes just like the real thing! Melted gooey cheese in between two beef patties on the famous soft sesame bun. The best news is it’s also peanut oil free!

Burger Recipe

close up shot of someone holding a burger with a bite out of it with chips in the background.

4. Chinese Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

These Chinese Takeaway Style Baked Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings are the perfect side dish that you can make at home! Marinated in salt, pepper and ginger then garnished with chilli, garlic and spring onion, these oven baked wings are deliciously crispy & surprisingly gluten free!

Chicken Wings Recipe

salt and pepper chicken wings garnished with chilli and spring onion on a white serving plate

5. Egg Free Chicken Goujons

These crispy oven baked chicken goujons are juicy, tender, succulent and healthy. Unlike most homemade chicken goujons these are also dairy & egg free! They can also be easily adapted to be gluten free too.

Egg Free Goujons Recipe

6. Healthy Grilled Steak Kabobs

Healthy Grilled Steak Kabobs are an easy and delicious recipe that the whole family will love! The steak is juicy and tender, and the vegetables have an amazing, charred flavour. It's the perfect low-carb, gluten-free, and dairy-free meal to make this summer!

Steak Kabobs Recipe

4 steak kebabs with peppers and courgettes.

7. Mini Hot Dog Appetisers

Mini Hot Dog Appetisers is a fun and easy way to serve BBQ little smokies. Create a build-your-own hot dog bar with your favourite hot dog toppings and toasted Hawaiian rolls. Perfect appetizer for the big game, holidays, and family gatherings.

Mini Hot Dog Recipe

6 mini hots dogs with different toppings on a white oblong plate.

8. Stuffed Pizza Burgers

These stuffed pizza burgers are perfect for a summer BBQ or party. They're easy to make and everyone will love them! They have an easy homemade pizza sauce, perfectly melted mozzarella cheese and are on Texas toast for an amazing flavour.

Stuffed Pizza Burgers Recipe

A beef burger sandwich, cut open in the middle on a white plate.

9. Salmon & Sweet Potato Fishcakes

Perfect for a quick family friendly dinner, these delicious Easy Salmon & Sweet Potato Fishcakes are made without egg or breadcrumbs making them egg free & gluten free!

Salmon & Sweet Potato Fishcakes Recipe

salmon and sweet potato fishcakes on a plate with salad, a lemon wedge and tartare sauce.

10. Air Fryer Trout

Looking for a healthy and easy dinner option? Try this Air Fryer Trout! With just a few simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy a crispy and delicious meal that's high in omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, cooking trout in an air fryer is a healthier option compared to traditional frying methods.

Air Fryer Trout Recipe

Trout fillet garnished with lemon on a plate with rice and broccoli.

11. Cajun Salmon

Add great flavour to your dinner with this healthy Cajun Salmon recipe! It's ready in just 15 minutes and you can make it in the air fryer, pan-fried on the stovetop, or oven baked.

Cajun Salmon Recipe

Two salmon filletson a bed of noodles on a white plate.

⭐ Veggie & Vegan Dishes

12. Dairy Free Garlic Bread

This delicious dairy free garlic bread is crunchy on the outside with a soft buttery garlic & parsley centre. Ready in under 20 minutes its a perfect accompaniment to a midweek meal. The whole family will love this!

Dairy Free Garlic Bread

Someone holding a piece of garlic bread with the rest of the loaf behind.

13. Fried Aubergine With Honey

This Fried Aubergine with Honey is a popular classic Spanish tapas dish also known as Berenjenas Fritas Con Miel. The deliciously crispy aubergine is drizzled with sticky honey making it the perfect blend of sweet and savoury.

Fried Aubergine Recipe

Fried aubergine rounds on a plate with a bowl of honey next to it.

14. Panzanella Salad

Ideal dinner for a hot summer night, this Panzanella Toscana Italian Bread Salad combines fresh tomatoes, stale bread (yes really!) & basil to make the most delicious salad. Dairy & egg free, this moreish salad can easily be adapted to be gluten-free too.

Panzanella Salad Recipe

15. Dairy Free Coleslaw

This Dairy Free Coleslaw tastes just as delicious as traditional coleslaw, that you won’t even know it's dairy free! Crunchy vegetables are mixed with a homemade vegan mayo dressing, making this recipe egg free too. It’s the perfect side dish to serve at your next BBQ or picnic!

Dairy Free Coleslaw Recipe

A spoonful of coleslaw over a bowl of coleslaw.

16. Nut Free & Dairy Free Pesto

This homemade nut-free basil pesto is so easy and quick to make! Bursting with fresh flavours it makes a great addition to pasta and is also dairy free. Plus, it's safe to bring to school for packed lunches since it doesn't contain any nuts!

Nut Free Pesto Recipe

green basil pesto in a white bowl with a spoon in it and lemon on a chopping board.

17. Vegan Cauliflower Bites

These Crispy Baked Cauliflower Bites A.K.A Wings are the perfect appetiser or snack! Baked in the oven making them healthier, they are vegan and also dairy-free and gluten-free so are allergy friendly too!

Cauliflower Bites Recipe

18. Spiced Watermelon Salad With Charred Corn

This salad features watermelon, charred corn, lime, chili powder, and lots of herbs. It comes together rather quickly and is a fun, flavorful addition to a summer menu.

Watermelon Salad Recipe

watermelon and corn salad on a white plate with limes in the background.

19. Dill Pickle Potato Salad

There is nothing better than creamy, tangy, potato salad as a barbecue side. Throw in the addictive flavour of dill pickles, and you may just want to finish this potato salad all in one sitting. This dill pickle potato salad is easy to make, and is a fantastic make-ahead side for your summer barbecues and backyard cookouts!

Dill Potato Salad Recipe

A white bowl containing potato salad. Two wooden spoons are in the bowl.

20. Easy Cucumber Salad

This Cucumber Salad is a light and refreshing side dish that is perfect for a summer night meal! Crunchy cucumbers tossed with onions, dill, garlic, and a sweet and tangy dressing. This makes the perfect old-fashioned side dish!

20. Easy Cucumber Salad

A white bowl containing cucumber slices and red onion.

21. BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches

If you haven’t tried jackfruit as a pulled pork alternative before, you’ve gotta try this recipe for Jackfruit BBQ Sandwiches. Vegan recipe and easily gluten-free.

BBQ Jackfruit Recipe

Someone holding a burger containing jackfruit and pineapple.

💬 Pasta Salad FAQ

What types of pasta are best for making pasta salad?

Short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, farfalle, and rigatoni are popular choices for pasta salad. They have a firm texture that holds up well in the dressing and can be easily mixed with other ingredients.

Can pasta salad be made in advance?

Yes, pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. You can cook the pasta and chop the ingredients a day or two in advance, then mix them together with the dressing just before serving. This allows the flavours to meld together and makes it easier to serve the dish when you're ready.

What dressing should I use for pasta salad?

There are many types of dressings that can be used for pasta salad. You can use a vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and mustard, or a creamy dressing like ranch or Caesar. You can also add pesto, salsa, or even hummus for a different twist.

How should I store leftover pasta salad?

Leftover pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 3-4 days, but it may become dry or lose its texture over time. If the pasta salad seems dry, you can add more dressing or a splash of olive oil to moisten it before serving.

What do you love to serve with your pasta salad? Let me know in the comments below!