54 Pasta Salad Recipes That Will Crush At Your Next Cookout

In our opinion, pasta salad is a summertime must. We have plenty of beloved variations of this staple side dish, but this Italian-inspired recipe is our guaranteed go-to when we need a reliable BBQ side.

Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.

Macaroni salad is one of our favorite things to pair with pulled pork or ribs, which is why it's such a disappointment when it's too dry or soggy. Not to fear—this recipe guarantees perfection ever time.

Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe.

Tired of your same old Caesar salad? Add chicken and penne pasta to transform it into the BBQ side dish of your dreams.

Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.

Though it looks a bit like rice, orzo isn't a grain. It's pasta! And like any other pasta, orzo is a great base for a salad. This easy make-ahead version is filled with all of our favorite bright Mediterranean flavors and mix-ins, like tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers. Don't skip the homemade lemon-and-dill dressing—it's SO much better than anything you can buy in a bottle.

Get the Greek Orzo Salad recipe.

We’re reimagining the classic macaroni salad here by adding buttery lobster meat and crispy bacon that pair perfectly with the tangy, creamy dressing. Think of this like the elevated version of your favorite BLT sandwich or lobster roll, made summer potluck-friendly.

Get the Lobster Roll Pasta Salad recipe.

This pasta salad has a creamy peanut dressing and is full of fresh, crunchy veggies with no mayonnaise in sight. It’s super-simple to make and is as delicious hot as it is cold, which means you can easily make it ahead of time (and that leftovers are BOMB).

Get the Thai Chicken Peanut Pasta Salad recipe.

Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. It’s very simple to prepare—you might already have all the ingredients on hand!—making it the perfect easy side to bring to any summer party.

Get the Hawaiian Mac Salad recipe.

Warning: If you make this spicy pasta salad at your next summer cookout, be prepared to have everyone asking for the recipe. It's got just the right amount of heat, thanks to a Cajun-seasoned, mayo-based dressing you're going to love.

Get the Grilled Chicken Cajun Pasta Salad recipe.

Here we're using couscous as the base for a confetti of colored vegetables (cucumbers! bell peppers! red onion!), doused in a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. We’ve also added tangy feta and sun-dried tomatoes, crunchy toasted almonds, and nutty, earthy chickpeas to give it a little added oomph. It’s simple and light, but still special enough for a celebration.

Get the Summer Couscous Salad recipe.

These noods get coated in a sweet & spicy mayo-based dressing that can honestly go on anything. The heat of fresh ginger, garlic, and sriracha is tamed by the mayo and a touch of sugar; the creaminess of the mayo is in turn nicely balanced out by the tart rice vinegar and lime zest. Yum!

Get the Noodle Salad recipe.

This pasta salad is a classic, featuring a homemade basil-and-pine nut pesto, a generous amount of Parmesan, and juicy grape tomatoes. It's worth getting out your nicest olive oil for this recipe since the flavor will shine through.

Get the Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

Think of this as a better taco salad (because pasta!), that's perfect for potlucks and BBQS. Trust us, once you add ground beef to pasta salad, you won't be able to stop—it's that good.

Get the Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.

This super savory pasta salad is a hit at barbecues and potlucks, and hearty enough to qualify as a meal. Swapping in a tangy mustard vinaigrette for the usual mayo-based dressing lightens things up a bit, and a healthy serving of seared chicken and crispy bacon make it satisfying enough to be a meal all on its own.

Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.

It’s not so hard to eat your greens when they come in pasta salad form. Sweet baby spinach is great here, but peppery arugula or tender baby kale would work well too.

Get the Super Green Vegan Pasta Salad recipe.

If you fancy tuna salad and macaroni salad, the only logical thing to do is bring the two together in a generous serving of spicy tuna mac. This recipe calls for quick-pickling red onion, shredded carrots, and chopped pickles while the pasta cooks so you get nicely tart and crunchy elements in every bite.

Get the Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe.

Looking for a wildly simple summer side that can still impress? This bruschetta-inspired pasta salad is it. We love using orecchiette here to soak up the simple extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing, but you can use whatever pasta shape you like!

Get the Bruschetta Pasta Salad recipe.

A little sweet, a little savory, this strawberry-forward pasta salad will stand out among a sea of macaroni salads. The tangy-sweet glaze is everything.

Get the Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad recipe.

This easy tortellini salad is ALWAYS a fave at picnics. Feel free to swap the sun-dried tomatoes here for fresh cherry tomatoes, use kale instead of spinach or bacon instead of salami, or replace the Parmesan with Pecorino or mozzarella.

Get the Tuscan Tortellini Salad recipe.

This simple salad is one of our favorite ways to enjoy zucchini noodles, or "zoodles". It takes notes from our favorite Caprese salad and celebrates all the best fresh produce of summer, without the carbs!

Get the Caprese Zoodles recipe.

This ingenious salad uses uncooked ramen noodles (plus their flavor packet) as croutons. If you're making for a picnic or BBQ, toast the noodles and marinate the cabbage and carrots ahead of time, then toss everything together before you head out.

Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.