25 Pasta Salads That Steal the Show at Every Potluck
It’s the ultimate make-ahead dish.
Ah, pasta salads. They’re a classic side dish at any summer get-together, whether it’s a backyard cookout, a park picnic, or a poolside potluck. Tossed with delicious mix-ins and coated in a creamy, irresistible dressing, this chilled pasta dish pairs perfectly with all your grilled favorites: burgers, hot dogs, sticky-sweet ribs—you name it! Aside from its delectable flavor, pasta salad recipes are great for feeding a hungry group, and they’re one of the easiest make-ahead cookout recipes out there—in fact, the longer it sits in the fridge, the more the ingredients meld together!
You can never go wrong with a classic medley like Ree Drummond's “best-ever” macaroni salad, which strikes the perfect balance between creamy and tangy. But if you’re looking to take things up a notch this summer, try using different types of pasta shapes: bow tie pasta, shells, tortellini, and even orzo. Some are full of fresh veggies, whereas others include heartier ingredients like chicken, sausage, or beans. And you’ll find plenty of fun twists, such as a pasta salad inspired by Ree’s famous chicken salad, a beloved BLT, and a classic Caprese salad. Make one of these delicious side dishes before packing it in your cooler or serving it with all your go-to BBQ recipes and cookout sides.
Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad meets deviled eggs in this recipe, which combines two favorites in one crowd-pleasing dish. With pickles, celery, and bell peppers tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, this side is packed with crunch and flavor. Whip it up a day in advance, and serve it straight from the fridge.
Get Ree’s Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad recipe.
Lemon Herb Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a pasta salad that’s light, refreshing, and oh so summery, try this one: Pair tender noodles with fresh, zippy mix-ins like peas, herbs, artichokes, and feta. It will keep in the fridge for up to four days!
Get the Lemon Herb Pasta Salad recipe.
Street Corn Pasta Salad
This 30-minute pasta salad recipe has all the bold flavors of classic Mexican street corn—charred corn, smoky peppers, zesty lime, and a touch of heat—folded into creamy pasta. To simplify your party prep, sub in frozen corn, and prep the dish a day ahead.
Get the Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.
Cowboy Pasta Salad
Brimming with kielbasa, black-eyed peas, fresh veggies, smoked cheddar, and a lime vinaigrette, this pasta salad recipe is cowboy-approved fare that’ll satisfy every stomach without weighing anyone down. It’ll taste even better paired with a burger!
Get Ree's Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Bow tie pasta isn’t just a cute addition to this pasta salad recipe! With all its ridges and folds, it’s the perfect shape for creamy dressing to cling to. In every bite, you’ll enjoy bright, bold flavor, plus bits of ham, cheese, bell pepper, green onion, and peas.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Just like a chilled shrimp salad, this creamy pasta salad is bright and velvety. When you want a taste of the beach without having to leave your house, this shrimp pasta salad will get the job done. And it’ll come together in 30 minutes tops!
Get the Shrimp Pasta Salad recipe.
Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad
The tiny orzo in this dish almost looks like a grain, but it cooks up in the same way as your typical pasta. When paired with juicy watermelon, salty feta, and fresh arugula, it becomes the ultimate summer side.
Get Ree's Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad recipe.
Taco Pasta Salad
This fun pasta salad variation features everything we love about tacos in one make-ahead side dish! It's loaded with charred corn, spicy chorizo, Cotija cheese, and a surprising crunch from Takis chips.
Get the Taco Pasta Salad recipe.
Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad
Instead of the actual noodles, the mouthwatering mix-ins and zingy pesto dressing are the real stars of this pasta salad recipe (and that's just the way Ree likes it!). It's chock full of peas, prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula.
Get Ree's Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Since Ree loves when orzo salads are "filled with everything under the sun," this recipe obviously has tons of tasty additions like chickpeas, olives, veggies, and feta. Make it a day or two ahead, and store it in the cooler for any outdoor event.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Loaded with bacon, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing, this pasta salad is pure comfort food. If you’re making it in advance, hold off on mixing in the bacon until you’re ready to serve it, so it stays nice and crispy.
Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This recipe combines two favorites: creamy pasta salad and chicken Caesar. It even has the satisfying combo of homemade dressing and crunchy croutons.
Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.
Italian Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is typically a side, but this version is well-rounded and hearty, thanks to salami, mozzarella, olives, and baby bell peppers. The best part? It comes together in 15 minutes!
Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
Whether you’re throwing a summer BBQ or attending a church potluck, a Southwestern-inspired pasta salad will be the star of the spread! It has avocado, corn, and cherry tomatoes, all dressed in a silky chipotle dressing.
Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Between the sweet cherry tomatoes, the fresh basil, and the velvety mozzarella, this pasta salad recipe screams summer. Finish it off with a sprinkle of red chile flakes to liven up the seasonal flavors.
Get the Caprese Pasta Salad recipe.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Because this classic Hawaiian pasta salad gets its name from the Aloha state, preparing and eating it will feel like a mini escape to the tropical island! Not to mention, it pairs well with all your favorite grilling recipes.
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
Greek Pasta Salad
Bright, light, and loaded with fresh vegetables, this pasta salad recipe is the perfect pick for anyone who’s craving something more refreshing than the traditionally creamy pasta salads.
Get the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
While pickles will definitely make an appearance on your burgers, you can never have too much dill flavor at a summer cookout! In this tangy pasta salad recipe, you’ll find pickle juice in the dressing and diced pickles mixed throughout the dish.
Get the Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
Inspired by Ree's fan-favorite chicken salad recipe, this pasta salad variation has all the delicious additions, from the juicy grapes and slivered almonds to the creamy dressing and tender chicken. Of course, chilled noodles are a standout ingredient!
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad recipe combines two Drummond-family favorites: tuna noodle casserole and pasta salad! Just like you’d expect, this make-ahead side dish is creamy, fresh, and filling!
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
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