|

10 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes Everyone Will Beg You For

BySarah

Cold pasta salads are a versatile crowd-pleasing dish perfect for picnics BBQs and quick weekday meals. Whether you prefer creamy tangy or loaded with fresh veggies these 10 irresistible recipes will keep you coming back for more.

1. Classic Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

A timeless favorite packed with bold flavors and a rich creamy dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup black olives sliced
  • ½ cup pepperoni diced (optional)
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls
  • ½ cup Italian dressing
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta al dente rinse under cold water and drain well.
  • In a large bowl combine pasta tomatoes cucumber red onion olives pepperoni and mozzarella.
  • Whisk together Italian dressing mayo oregano salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss to coat.
  • Chill for at least 2 hours before serving for best flavor.

Pro Tip: For extra zing add a splash of red wine vinegar to the dressing!

2. Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

A light Mediterranean-inspired dish with feta olives and a lemony dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz orzo pasta
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ red bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives sliced
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook orzo rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In a bowl mix orzo with cucumber tomatoes bell pepper olives feta red onion and parsley.
  • Whisk olive oil lemon juice oregano salt and pepper.
  • Toss dressing with salad and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

3. Spicy Southwest Pasta Salad

A fiery Tex-Mex twist with black beans corn and a creamy chipotle dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup black beans rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or canned)
  • 1 avocado diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta cool and drain.
  • In a bowl combine pasta black beans corn avocado bell pepper and cilantro.
  • Mix ranch lime juice chipotle powder cumin and salt.
  • Toss with salad and serve immediately (avocado browns quickly).

Pro Tip: Add grilled chicken for a protein boost!

4. Asian Sesame Noodle Salad

A sweet savory and nutty cold pasta salad with an irresistible sesame dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz spaghetti or soba noodles
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup red cabbage thinly sliced
  • ½ cup edamame shelled
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

  • Cook noodles rinse with cold water and drain.
  • Toss with carrots cabbage edamame green onions and cilantro.
  • Whisk soy sauce sesame oil honey vinegar ginger and garlic.
  • Pour over noodles mix well and garnish with sesame seeds.

5. Caprese Pasta Salad

A fresh elegant take on the classic Caprese salad with balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz farfalle (bowtie) pasta
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
  • ½ cup fresh basil chopped
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta cool and drain.
  • Combine with tomatoes mozzarella and basil.
  • Whisk olive oil balsamic vinegar garlic salt and pepper.
  • Toss with salad and serve chilled.

6. Ranch Bacon & Cheddar Pasta Salad

A decadent creamy crowd-pleaser loaded with bacon and cheese.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese cubed
  • ½ cup bacon cooked & crumbled
  • ½ cup red onion diced
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta cool and drain.
  • Mix with cheddar bacon and red onion.
  • Combine ranch sour cream mustard garlic powder salt and pepper.
  • Toss with pasta and chill before serving.

7. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta Salad

A bright refreshing seafood pasta salad with a zesty lemon-garlic dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz penne or farfalle pasta
  • 1 lb shrimp peeled & cooked
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup cucumber diced
  • ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl combine pasta shrimp tomatoes cucumber red onion and parsley.
  • Whisk olive oil lemon juice garlic lemon zest red pepper flakes salt and pepper.
  • Toss dressing with salad and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Pro Tip: Grill the shrimp for extra smoky flavor!

8. Pesto Tortellini Salad

A rich herby pasta salad with cheese-filled tortellini and sun-dried tomatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 20 oz cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • ½ cup artichoke hearts diced
  • ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook tortellini according to package instructions rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In a bowl mix tortellini with pesto sun-dried tomatoes artichokes and pine nuts.
  • Drizzle with olive oil sprinkle Parmesan and season with salt & pepper.
  • Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

9. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

A spicy creamy twist on Buffalo wings—perfect for game day!

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
  • ½ cup celery diced
  • ½ cup carrots shredded
  • ½ cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
  • 2 green onions sliced

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In a bowl combine pasta chicken celery and carrots.
  • Whisk dressing hot sauce and Greek yogurt.
  • Toss with pasta mixture top with blue cheese and green onions.
  • Serve immediately or chill for later.

Pro Tip: For extra heat add a dash of cayenne pepper!

10. Vegan Rainbow Pasta Salad

A vibrant nutrient-packed plant-based pasta salad with a tangy tahini dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz whole wheat or chickpea pasta
  • 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors) diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup cucumber diced
  • ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup kalamata olives sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup tahini
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ¼ tsp cumin
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In a bowl mix pasta with bell peppers tomatoes cucumber red onion olives and parsley.
  • Whisk tahini lemon juice maple syrup garlic cumin salt and pepper.
  • Toss dressing with salad and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Final Tips for Perfect Cold Pasta Salads

  • Undercook pasta slightly—it softens more when chilled.
  • Rinse pasta in cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
  • Let flavors meld by refrigerating at least 1–2 hours before serving.
Avatar photo

I’m Sarah, founder of Flavorly Bites and passionate home cook. My mission is to make flavorful, feel-good food that’s easy to make and impossible to forget — one bite at a time.

Similar Posts