Pasta Salad Recipes for a Summer Picnic
Are you a pasta lover? Silly question, right?! Pasta salad is a time-honored and all-agreed upon favorite for many. Not only is pasta hearty, filling, and comforting but also fresh and delightful – depending on how you serve it. Whether you like your pasta warm and combined with veggies and meat, or cold and in fresh veggie salads, you cannot deny the appeal.
Pasta salad is also wonderful, and a favorite, for summer picnics. And, since July is National Picnic Month, we wanted to pull together a collection of our VERY favorite pasta salad recipes for you to try. These yummy pasta salad recipes feature fresh, summer ingredients perfect for a summer picnic. So, the next time you are looking for a yummy side dish for your picnic, try one of these yummy delights!
Pasta Salad Recipes
I can’t even begin to tell you my favorites as I love them all. Whether you add pasta to a simple salad or combine it with other summer veggies, it makes for a mouth-watering and favorite dish!
If I had to pinpoint it down, I would have to say the Pesto Pasta Chicken Salad is on the top of my list! With its tender white chicken morsels, fresh veggies, and black olives wrapped in a flavourful pesto sauce, how can you go wrong? And, my next pick would be the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. It is a yummy salad loaded with all the flavors you love like ranch dressing, bacon, chicken, and pasta noodles. It is also great whether you serve it cold or warm.
The point is, pasta is not only for casseroles or the same old boring mac ‘n cheese. While those are heavenly concoctions and comfort-food worthy, pasta is also wonderful served with fresh veggies as a side dish for a picnic. So, if you need a little inspiration for yummy mouth-watering side dishes for your next get-together, be sure and check out the delicious pasta salad recipes in this collection!
Pasta Salad Recipes for a Summer Picnic
These yummy pasta salad recipes feature fresh, summer ingredients perfect for a summer picnic. So, the next time you are looking for a yummy side dish for your picnic, try one of these yummy delights!
Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
Elevate your summer gatherings with this Asian-inspired Ramen Noodle Salad—the best side dish that combines sweet, tangy, and crunchy flavors effortlessly. Made in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy family favorite is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, or any occasion that calls for a delicious and refreshing salad.
Pizza Pasta Salad
A delicious summer pasta salad that tastes like your favorite slice of pizza!
Italian Pasta Salad
Packed full of deliciousness, this pasta salad will be a hit at your summer gatherings!
Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
Tender white chicken morsels, fresh veggies, black olives all wrapped in a flavourful pesto sauce.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
So creamy and tasty with all the flavors you love from a classic Caesar salad.
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
Bursting with fresh summer flavour, this Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad is a hit at a family BBQ! It tastes even better the next day.
Macaroni Dill Salad
Whip up this easy pasta salad in no time to serve at your summer BBQs! Fresh dill and radishes give it an extra zip of flavor.
Greek Pasta Salad
One of my all-time favorite pasta salad recipes. Don’t count on any leftovers with this recipe!
Cold Spaghetti Salad
Cold spaghetti salad is quick and easy to make. It’s the perfect dish for feeding a hungry family. Boasting a variety of crisp garden veggies, this pasta salad is packed with beautiful colors, flavors and textures. It’s delicious!
BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT pasta salad recipe is a fun spin on the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. This is a creamy pasta salad that is light and delicious. The addition of fresh avocado and Ranch seasoning makes this ranch BLT salad unlike any pasta salad you’ve ever had before. It’s simply the best!
Easy Broccoli Lemon Pasta Salad
This Easy Broccoli Lemon Pasta Salad Recipe is a delicious, mayo-free salad to have at your next picnic or barbecue.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad, with its summer tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves, coated in a red wine vinaigrette and drizzled with a Balsamic Glaze, makes a perfect pasta salad for a picnic, potluck, or summer party!
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
This Greek orzo pasta salad is one of my favorite summer recipes. Packed full of Mediterranean flavor, this easy summer salad features all of the best Greek veggies, orzo, and other fresh ingredients in a quick lemon Greek dressing.
Pulled Pork Pasta Salad
I love pasta salad and pulled pork is a perfect summer addition – plus with no mayo – it’s still creamy but not near as heavy!
Easy Tuna Pasta Salad with Peas and Vegetables
Enjoy this Tuna Pasta Salad as a side or the main dish on a hot day. It is loaded with veggies and has a light creamy dressing, making it a healthy family-friendly pasta salad.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Light on the mayo and big on flavor, this deviled egg pasta salad is a hit at cookouts or summer potluck!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Our chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is loaded with all the flavors you love like ranch dressing, bacon, chicken, and pasta noodles. Enjoy it cold or warm!
Pasta Salad with sauteed Vegetables
If you are working and don’t have much time, this pasta salad with sautéed vegetables is a dish you can prepare in no time.
Prawn Mango Salad with Avocado
Packed with fresh ingredients like prawns (shrimp), avocado, mango and feta, dressed with lemon and garlic - this is no ordinary pasta salad!
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Calling all pickle lovers! This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is a classic cold pasta salad with a tangy twist. Quick and easy to make, this tangy pasta salad recipe is just the thing for serving at those backyard barbecues, summer picnics and taking to potlucks.
CHERRY TOMATO PASTA SALAD
This juicy cherry tomato pasta salad is bursting with flavor, ready in 10 minutes, and requires only 5 ingredients.It makes a simple, convenient, and delish pasta recipe absolutely perfect for any summer gathering.
Lobster Pasta Salad
An easy way to make pasta salad the hit of the party is with lobster. Inspired by the iconic lobster roll, this is an inexpensive but decadent dish.
Coleslaw Pasta Salad
Two summertime favorites – cold pasta salad and coleslaw – are combined into one flavorful and easy to make side dish. Perfect for backyard barbecues, potlucks, and holiday gatherings!
Asparagus Pasta Salad
Light asparagus pasta salad made with fresh asparagus, orzo pasta, fresh basil and a lemony vinaigrette. This versatile asparagus salad is a perfect side dish for dinner or as a main dish for lunch.
Ultimate Non-Creamy Pasta Salad Recipe
With bite-sized brocolli, cucumbers, peppers and sredded carrots, this non-creamy pasta salad is the perfect side dish for any meal.
Tuna Avocado Macaroni Salad
This pasta salad is loaded with veggies, avocado, and tuna. An easy and filling side or main dish.
Amish Macaroni Salad
Classic Amish Macaroni Salad is an old-timey favorite. And it's a classic favorite for a reason ~ because it's just plain good. With its characteristicly sweet creamy dressing, this macaroni salad is simply perfect for potlucks, backyard barbecues, and pretty much any everyday meal!
Asian Style Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Peanuts
This pasta salad with broccoli and peanuts adds delicious Thai flavors to a party side dish. Ingredients like soy sauce, peanut butter, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes turn your Rotini pasta into an Asian flavor explosion.
Sriracha Shrimp Pasta Salad
Cool and creamy. Spicy and fresh. This Sriracha Shrimp Pasta Salad is an easy make ahead main dish loaded with colorful crisp veggies, shrimp, and a bold sriracha dressing.
Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
This smoked salmon pasta salad recipe is simple but feels a little fancy! You'll love the bright and zesty creamy lemon dressing. It's quick & easy to prepare.
Pasta Salad with Artichoke Hearts and Feta
Pasta Salad with Artichoke Hearts and Feta is going to be your new favorite! Bow tie pasta loaded with artichoke hearts, feta cheese, crunchy bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes and black olives all tossed in a delicious Greek vinaigrette.
Spring Orzo Salad with Arugula, Asparagus, Pine Nuts
This spring orzo salad is full of bright and fresh flavors that will make you happy from the very first bite! Crisp asparagus, spicy arugula, and flavorful pine nuts are all dressed in a basil lemon vinaigrette.
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They all looks amazing! We’re going to a BBQ this weekend, and I think I will try out the Tortellini Salad With Tomatoes & Peas to take with me!
I love a good salad recipe. Thanks!
I love pasta salad!
These pasta salads look so delicious, the one that I would try first is the Pasta with Spinach and Almonds. Thank you for sharing these great pasta salad recipes.
Great pasta salad recipes!I love pasta so much that could eat pasta every day.They all sound so good that I’m going to have a hard time deciding which one to try first.
I love trying different types of pasta salad recipes, there are so many different recipes and so many that are oh so good.
I love avocados, so I can’t wait to try Creamy Avocado Pasta! Thanks for the recipes!
Pasta salads are great or hot, humid summer days.
These salads look good ,especially during the warm summer days you dont want to turn the oven on.
I love to have a pasta salad in the fridge for a fast lunch or snack. Never having mayo, I use strained (Greek) yoghurt. It is healthier too.