15 Great Cold Pasta Salad Recipes

Here’s a cold pasta salad with all the classic elements: chewy mozzarella balls, crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, salty olives and tangy pops of pepperoncini. Cover it all in a tangy Italian-style dressing, and it’s a delightful mix of textures, flavors and colors. It’s ideal for a summer potluck or cookout, and saves well for lunches throughout the week

Here’s our go-to when it comes to cold pasta salad recipes: Greek Pasta Salad! This one pairs Mediterranean-style flavors with chewy bowtie pasta for a zingy, fresh combination that can’t be beat. Juicy cherry tomatoes contrast cool cucumber, salty olives, and savory feta cheese, with generous handfuls of parsley, dill, and a Greek-style vinaigrette dressing.

Here’s a cold pasta salad recipe that’s ultra versatile for picnics, barbecues, and an easy lunch idea: Tortellini Salad! The tang of the artichoke, chewy pillowy pasta, zippy tomatoes, and peppery basil come together into a symphony of flavor! Even better, it stores up to 4 days in the fridge, making it a perfect easy lunch.

Try this Pesto Pasta Salad recipe, which celebrates everything seasonal in summer! It features chewy bowties with pops of fresh cherry tomatoes, tangy artichokes and peppery baby arugula. Make a batch of fresh basil pesto or grab some at the store, then mix it up in to a creamy dressing to cover everything. 

Here’s a colorful, fresh pasta salad for summer or anytime: Mediterranean pasta salad! This instantly became a favorite summer side dish with its zingy, bright flavors. Imagine: cool cucumber, juicy tomatoes and peppery arugula, mixed with chewy pasta and salty pops of feta cheese. Hearty sundried tomato gives it an even more irresistible quality to each bite.

This cold pasta salad recipe is a simple combination of juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh peppery basil, tossed together with soft mozzarella and chewy farfalle pasta. Because who doesn’t want more excuses to eat that classic Italian Caprese salad? It’s ideal for cookouts, pitch-ins and outdoor gatherings of all kinds: plus, leftovers work well for lunches.

A can of tuna transforms into seriously tasty pasta salads: like this nostalgic Tuna Pasta Salad! It’s creamy but not too rich, with a splash of white wine vinegar and a sprinkle of dried dill. It’s a seriously simple pantry meal that gives us cozy nostalgic vibes…and it works as a make-ahead lunch too.

Though it looks a little like rice, orzo is actually a small pasta in the shape of rice! It’s often used in Mediterranean-style recipes like Italian and Greek cuisine. Experience the flavors of Greece in this cold pasta salad recipe: salty feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and of course, powerhouse herbs like mint and dill! It’s one of our crowd favorite salad ideas perfect for summer.

Want a comforting side for summer? Try this cold shrimp pasta salad! It's creamy and herby, with retro vibes of picnics and family potlucks. It stars tender baby shrimp and pasta shells, tossed with a creamy dressing, fresh dill, peas and crunchy veggies. Something about the flavor will keep you coming back for more!

A total classic, this macaroni salad made with simple ingredients delivers big flavor. It pairs pasta with hard boiled eggs and crunchy veggies like celery, red pepper and onion, all bathed in a lusciously creamy dressing. A picnic and summertime hit! Via Immaculate Bites

This simple cold pasta salad recipe packed with flavors, textures and colors, featuring savory chicken, crunchy veggies, and a creamy mayo and ranch dressing. It's a fantastic summer dish that can be served as a side or a complete meal on its own! via Immaculate Bites

There's no need for meat or cheese in a pasta salad...really! Try this easy vegan cold pasta salad recipe: perfect for lunch, a quick weeknight dinner, and so much more! It’s loaded with flavor and topped with a homemade Italian vinaigrette. via Jessica in the Kitchen

This cold grilled corn and crab pasta salad recipe is summer in a dish! Crisp, refreshing and perfect for the warm summer weather. It's great for BBQs, summer dinners, and leftovers are perfect for lunches. via How Sweet Eats

This cold pasta salad recipe is all about green! It's loaded with bright and crunchy summer veggies like celery, asparagus, cucumbers, collard greens, and peas. Then add a full-flavored, creamy, herby green dressing to cover it all. via Meiko and the Dish

Why not make taco salad into a cold pasta salad? Try Taco Pasta Salad, filled with veggies, cheese, tortilla chips, and dressed in a creamy catalina dressing! It’s a crowd favorite that’s welcome at every summer party, picnic, and barbecue. For vegetarian, substitute vegan crumbles for the ground beef. via Isabel Eats