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10 Summer Pasta Salad Recipes – Become the Star of Every BBQ

BySarah

When the sun is shining and the grill is fired up nothing beats a refreshing flavorful pasta salad to complement your summer spread. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ heading to a potluck or just craving a light yet satisfying meal these 10 summer pasta salad recipes are guaranteed to impress.

Pasta salads are versatile easy to prepare and endlessly customizable making them a summer staple. Below we’ll cover classic favorites bold twists and pro tips to ensure your dish is always a hit.

1. Classic Italian Pasta Salad

A timeless favorite packed with fresh veggies tangy dressing and savory Italian flavors.

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
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped

Dressing:

  • ½ cup Italian dressing
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta al dente rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl combine pasta tomatoes cucumber red onion olives pepperoni and mozzarella.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Toss well.
  • Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.

Pro Tip: For extra flavor let the salad marinate overnight—the pasta soaks up the dressing beautifully!

2. Creamy Avocado & Lime Pasta Salad

A zesty creamy twist with avocado lime dressing—perfect for hot days.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz fusilli pasta
  • 2 ripe avocados diced
  • 1 cup corn kernels (grilled or canned)
  • ½ red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

Dressing:

  • 1 avocado mashed
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook and cool pasta.
  • Blend dressing ingredients until smooth.
  • Toss pasta with avocado corn bell pepper and cilantro.
  • Fold in dressing and serve immediately.

Pro Tip: Add a dash of chili powder for a spicy kick!

3. Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

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

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz orzo pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • ½ red onion sliced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled

Dressing:

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook orzo rinse and cool.
  • Combine with veggies olives and feta.
  • Whisk dressing and toss with salad.
  • Chill before serving.

Pro Tip: Add grilled chicken for a protein boost!

4. Spicy Southwest Pasta Salad

A fiery smoky pasta salad with black beans corn and chipotle dressing.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup black beans rinsed
  • 1 cup corn
  • ½ red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup red onion chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

Dressing:

  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo (minced)
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • ½ tsp cumin

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta cool and mix with veggies.
  • Blend dressing ingredients and toss with salad.
  • Top with extra cilantro before serving.

Pro Tip: Add diced jalapeños for extra heat!

5. Caprese Pasta Salad

A fresh elegant take on the classic Caprese salad.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz farfalle pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
  • ½ cup fresh basil chopped

Dressing:

  • ¼ cup balsamic glaze
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook and cool pasta.
  • Toss with tomatoes mozzarella and basil.
  • Drizzle with dressing and serve.

Pro Tip: Use heirloom tomatoes for extra sweetness!

6. Tropical Mango & Coconut Pasta Salad

A sweet tangy and creamy pasta salad with a taste of the tropics.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 ripe mango diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup toasted coconut flakes
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

Dressing:

  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp ginger grated
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta rinse under cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl combine pasta mango bell pepper red onion and cilantro.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth and pour over the salad.
  • Toss well top with toasted coconut and chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Pro Tip: Add grilled shrimp for a surf-and-turf twist!

7. Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta Salad

A protein-packed zesty pasta salad with tender grilled chicken.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz bowtie or fusilli pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese shaved

Dressing:

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook and cool pasta.
  • In a large bowl combine pasta chicken tomatoes spinach and Parmesan.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients and toss with the salad.
  • Let it sit for 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Pro Tip: Use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quick prep!

8. Pesto & Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

A bold herby pasta salad with rich Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz farfalle or penne pasta
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed) chopped
  • ½ cup artichoke hearts chopped
  • ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped

Dressing:

  • ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta rinse and drain.
  • Toss with sun-dried tomatoes artichokes pine nuts and basil.
  • Mix pesto olive oil and lemon juice then coat the salad.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Pro Tip: Add crumbled feta for extra creaminess!

9. Asian Sesame Noodle Salad

A crunchy savory and slightly sweet pasta salad with an Asian flair.

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

Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 1 garlic clove minced

Instructions:

  • Cook noodles rinse with cold water and drain.
  • In a large bowl combine noodles carrots cabbage edamame green onions and cilantro.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients and toss with the salad.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds before serving.

Pro Tip: Top with crushed peanuts for extra crunch!

10. BLT Pasta Salad

A creamy smoky twist on the classic BLT sandwich.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz elbow macaroni or cavatappi
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped
  • ¼ cup green onions sliced

Dressing:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Cook pasta rinse and drain.
  • In a large bowl mix pasta tomatoes bacon lettuce and green onions.
  • Whisk dressing ingredients and fold into the salad.
  • Serve immediately or chill for up to 1 hour (add lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp).

Pro Tip: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter version!

Final Tips for the Perfect Pasta Salad

✔ Cook pasta al dente – Avoid mushy pasta by slightly undercooking it.
✔ Rinse with cold water – Stops cooking and removes excess starch.
✔ Let it chill – Flavors meld beautifully when rested.
✔ Add dressing in stages – Prevents sogginess.

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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.

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