Summer calls for food that’s easy to make, easy to transport, and actually worth eating at a cookout.
Pasta salad checks all three boxes—but not all pasta salads are created equal. Some are drowning in mayonnaise, some are underdressed and sad, and some are genuinely the thing people ask you to bring every single time.
This list covers the best of them: fresh, flavorful, and hearty enough to hold their own as a main dish or a side.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a crowd at a backyard barbecue, there’s a pasta salad here for you.
Cheeseburger Pasta Salad
Cheeseburger Pasta Salad brings all your favorite burger flavors into one easy, make-ahead dish!
Shrimp Po’Boy Pasta Salad
This Shrimp Po’Boy Pasta Salad brings all the flavors of a classic Louisiana po’boy sandwich into an easy pasta salad.
Meatball Sub Pasta Salad
This Meatball Sub Pasta Salad brings all the flavors of your favorite sandwich into an easy, portable dish.
Denver Omelet Pasta Salad
This Denver Omelet Pasta Salad brings all the classic flavors of a Denver omelet—ham, bell peppers, onions, and cheddar—into a cold pasta salad with a light, tangy dressing.
Avocado Street Corn Pasta Salad
This Avocado Street Corn Pasta Salad brings together charred corn, creamy avocado, and tangy lime in a vibrant side dish that’s perfect for cookouts and potlucks.
Cowboy Pasta Salad
This cowboy pasta salad checks every box for a summer side dish. It’s hearty enough to satisfy hungry guests, but the bright tomatoes and tangy dressing keep it from feeling too rich.
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella meet pasta in this no-mayo summer salad.
Cold Italian Pasta Salad
This refreshing cold pasta salad combines tender rotini with crisp vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and briny olives, all tossed in a zesty Italian herb dressing that gets more flavorful as it chills.
