10 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes Everyone Will Beg You For
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.
