A delicious classic or cold pasta salad is a quintessential BBQ and picnic side dish. Here is an amazing collection of summer pasta salad recipes that will keep you happy all season.
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Side dishes for a BBQ
There is more than one great side dish for summer. If your prepping for a BBQ or just a tasty summer dinner grab one of these pasta salad recipes and then try some of my others:
Best pasta salad ever
You're in the right place for the best pasta salad recipes. Why? Because I've collected them from all over and put them in one place for you.
You'll find recipes for classic pasta salad as well as others:
- Creamy pasta salad recipes. There are cold pasta salads with mayo and others with no mayo.
- Healthy summer pasta salad recipes loaded with veggies.
- Pasta salad with cheese. Some grated cheddar and others with Parmesan.
- Italian dressing pasta salads with those classic flavors you love.
- Global flavors tossed on pasta for a fun side dish.
- Meat-lovers pasta salad recipes with bacon and sausage.
Salads with veggies
You'll find some healthy summer pasta salad recipes here. But, mostly these are classics with veggies, and twists for you to try!
Those classic Italian pasta salad favorites!
Whether it's a pasta salad with Italian dressing or simply one touting tomatoes or basil, this is where to find the best pasta salad ever (in some folks opinion)!
Delicious Greek recipes
Fantastic flavor and delicious morsels of classic Greek ingredients are tossed into these salads. They make tasty side dishes or picnic bowls.
Meaty goodness and chicken pasta salad recipes
A little bacon, sausage or tasty chicken makes a pasta salad so delicious it's almost a meal. Try one of these and have everyone coming for seconds.
Find my serving bowl recommendations for pasta salad here.
Side Dish Recipes
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Compiled by Meg Palmer
julie says
Oh the meats! Lobster, bacon and BBQ Chicken pasta salad recipes all in one place - yummy! These are going into the rotation asap.
Natalie says
Pasta salad is the perfect side dish for summer because it's refreshing yet still filling. I can't wait to try the lobster pasta salad. What a delight!
Megan Palmer says
I love the variety of Pasta Salads you found, those Greek ones look so yummy!
Britney Fronk says
Pasta salad is always my favorite dish at any BBQ, so I'm PUMPED to try some of these! Thanks for finding them all!
Moriah says
I highly recommend the Gemelli With Bacon, Tomato And Yellow Squash pasta salad. It was a huge hit even with the kids.
Mia says
Pasta Salads are my faves! Must try these! Thank you!
Emily Liao says
This list is perfect for all my summer festivities! Especially looking forward to making the dill pickled version 🙂
Tara Teaspoon says
Oh that's a crowd favorite!
Elizabeth says
I love pasta salad and this is the best round up I’ve seen! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren Michael Harris says
I love a good pasta salad in the summer. There are SO many to try on this list - great compilation!
Tara Teaspoon says
Oh good! Thanks!
Beth says
These look so tasty and full of flavor! My family and I can't wait to make some of these! Excited to give some of these a try!
Caroline says
I'll admit, pasta salads are not usually my go-to but I love all the variety of flavors in these - definitely a few I'm looking forward to giving a try.
Tara Teaspoon says
With all the variety I'm sure you can find one you may like!