25 Fun Summer Pasta Salad Recipes That Are Too Easy Not to Make

1. Mediterranean Orzo Salad

This Mediterranean Orzo Salad brings big flavor with minimal effort, just the way we like it around here.

Tossed with crisp cucumbers, salty olives, and creamy feta, it’s fresh, herby, and always a hit with my crew.

The lemony vinaigrette pulls it all together, and honestly, it’s even better the next day (hello, easy lunch!). Whether it’s BBQ season or just a regular Tuesday, this one’s a keeper.

This recipe and our strawberry goat cheese arugula salad just say it’s summertime to us.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad

2. Classic Italian Pasta Salad

Easy Italian Pasta Salad is our go-to when summer chaos hits and dinner still needs to happen.

Rotini pasta, juicy tomatoes, olives, and creamy mozzarella get tossed in zesty dressing, and it’s ready before anyone can ask “what’s for dinner?” Well almost.

My kids inhale it, and I love that it’s super flexible with whatever’s in the fridge. Great for BBQs, camping, vacations, or those nights when cooking just isn’t the vibe. Summer salads for dinner forever!

Get the recipe: Classic Italian Pasta Salad

3. Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad is fresh, and zippy with that bright lemony vinaigrette taste that screams summertime to me. Plus it’s such an easy dinner idea you’ll want to add it to your meal prep pn repeat.

Bright bell peppers, tangy feta, and briny Kalamata olives are tossed in a lemony herb dressing. It’s everything you want in a healthy summer pasta dish.

I usually make it with penne, but bowties bring the fun too. Serve it up with grilled chicken or salmon and you’ve got an easy win for any BBQ or lazy weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

5. Coleslaw Pasta Salad

Coleslaw meets pasta in this creamy, crunchy twist that’s way more fun than your usual macaroni salad.

Using bagged slaw mix and bite-sized pasta like ditalini, I find it comes together super fast and holds up great in the fridge. We throw in sharp cheddar cubes and a simple dressing that even the kids like.

Whether you’re headed to a summer potluck, just need an easy side or a cold pasta salad that doesn’t heat up the house, this one delivers every time.

Get the recipe: Coleslaw Pasta Salad

6.  Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

This Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad is what I reach for when I want something fast, flavorful, and no-fuss. And it’s a special favorite with my youngest. We first tried it camping a couple of years ago, and we haven’t looked back.

Just five simple ingredients; cheese tortellini, pesto, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella balls and you’ve got a crave-worthy side (or light dinner) in under 20 minutes. That’s also easy to adapt for personal tastes.

It holds up well in the fridge, making it an easy make ahead dish for cookouts, road trips, camping or lazy summer nights. Toss it together once, and you’ll be making it on repeat all season long.

7. Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad

If you have leftover chicken, or picked up a rotisserie chicken at the supermarket, then check out this quick, budget friendly recipe.

Easy chicken macaroni salad is a crowd pleaser combining shredded chicken, crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs, and a creamy dressing made with mustard, mayo, and pesto.

No need to complicate things with this deliciously simple cold summer pasta salad.

Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad

8. Thai Pasta Salad

We recently spent 6 months in South East Asia, and when I’m craving a light meal or side, I pull out this Asian inspired Pasta Salad recipe.

Light, refreshing and full of veggies, with a peanut sesame dressing, it’s something I crave all season long.

Such a healthy summer pasta salad recipe.

Get the recipe: Thai Pasta Salad

9. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

If you’re obsessed with pickles (or even if you aren’t), this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is your new summer sidekick.

Creamy, tangy, and loaded with crunchy pickles, sharp cheddar, and shell pasta that grabs onto all that flavor. What’s not to love?

It comes together in about 20 minutes and only gets better as it chills. Great for potlucks, BBQs, or those times you just need something fun and a little different on the table.

Get the recipe: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

10. Ensalada de Coditos (Mexican Macaroni Salad)

Ensalada de Coditos is that creamy, cool side dish every summer table secretly needs.

With just a handful of ingredients and barely 10 minutes of prep, this Mexican macaroni salad brings the flavor without the fuss.

I like to toss in carrots, peas, and a touch of mustard for zing, plus a scoop of Greek yogurt to lighten things up, as I’m not a huge fan of mayo to begin with. But play around with the ingredients until you find your favorite combinations.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just raiding the fridge for lunch, this one’s always a hit.

11. Greek Pasta Salad

If I had to name one salad that says “summer” to me, it’s Greek Salad. I crave it in hot weather (and all year round to be honest). But when you add pasta, it makes it that much more filling.

It’s pretty and colorful, so a great side dish to bring to your summer picnics, or backyard BBQs, but also quick enough for a light meal on busy weeknights.

Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad

12. Watermelon Basil Feta Salad with Protein Pasta

Sweet watermelon, salty feta, fresh basil, and protein pasta, this unique and healthy summer salad brings all the flavor with none of the stress.

I like to throw it together on hot days when no one wants to cook, and it’s always the first bowl scraped clean at BBQs.

Bonus: using chickpea pasta makes it feel like a full meal without weighing you down. Cut the melon ahead of time and you’re halfway there. Easy, breezy, and totally crave-worthy.

Get the recipe: Watermelon Basil Feta Salad with Protein Pasta

14. BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad

This BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad is where creamy meets smoky in the tastiest way.

Tossed with grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and cheddar, it’s got just the right balance of bold flavors and satisfying textures.

We love it as a hearty side at summer cookouts, but it’s just as good for lunch or a no-fuss dinner.

Want to switch it up? Add jalapeños, swap in pulled pork, or skip the meat and go veg. This one’s totally up to you.

Get the recipe: BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad

15. Elote Pasta Salad

Elote Pasta Salad brings all the bold, creamy, lime-kissed flavors of Mexican street corn and turns them into your new favorite summer side.

Grilled (or thawed—no judgment ) corn, cotija, jalapeños, and herbs get tossed with pasta and a zingy lime dressing.

But the real game-changer? Crunchy chipotle tortilla strips piled on top—trust me, you don’t want to skip them.

Too hot to cook? Swap ’em for Doritos, grab a margarita, and call it a day.

Get the recipe: Elote Pasta Salad

16. Cold Asparagus Orzo Salad

While typically local asparagus is a Spring time veggie in North America, we find ourselves eating it well into the summer.

Cold Asparagus Orzo Salad is light, lemony, and just made for sunny days. Tossed with crisp veggies and a tangy Parmesan vinaigrette, it’s a total crowd-pleaser that pairs with just about anything hot off the grill.

I love serving it at picnics and BBQs because it holds up well and adds a fresh twist to the table.

Bonus, it works as both a salad and a side, so you can keep things simple and summery.

Get the recipe: Asparagus Orzo Salad

17. Mandarin Spinach Pasta Salad

My aunt used to make a version of this salad every time we had a family brunch at my Grandparents place growing up. I still remember the first time I tried it, thinking it was so flavourful, given my Dad’s idea of salad was iceburg lettuce with cucumbers on the side.

This super tasty spinach pasta salad takes it up a notch with teriyaki dressing, along with its fresh spinach, crunchy nuts, shredded chicken, bowtie pasta, dried cranberries and juicy mandarin oranges.

Get the recipe: Mandarin Spinach Pasta Salad

19. Easy Tortellini Caprese Salad

My youngest daughter Miss S is a HUGE fan of tortellini. I swear she could eat it for every meal if she could.

Which is why Tortellini Caprese Salad, a twist on a classic is such a hit in our household.

The fresh flavors of basil, tomatoes, cheesy tortellini and a delicious balsamic glaze is such the perct combo. We usually add cucumbers and red peppers as she’s not a huge fan of tomatoes.

Get the recipe: Tortellini Caprese Salad

20. Healthy Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad

Fresh, fast, and full of flavor, this Healthy Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad is a summer win.

With just five ingredients, it’s light enough for a side, but thanks to chickpeas and whole grain pasta, hearty enough to be the main event.

I love how the herby pesto pairs with sweet cherry tomatoes and salty feta. Simple, but seriously satisfying. Make it ahead, take it to a BBQ, or just stash it in the fridge for easy lunches all week.

Get the recipe: Healthy Chickpea Pesto Pasta Salad

22. Broccoli Chicken Pasta Salad

Broccoli, chicken, feta, and a herby olive oil dressing—this pasta salad has been a favorite since I was a kid raiding my friend’s fridge.

It’s loaded with color and crunch from red pepper, shallots, and olives, and it tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge.

The recipe calls for thyme, but you can switch up the herbs to match your mood (or whatever’s in the garden). We like using fresh oregano or dill.

Whether you’re prepping lunch for the week, showing up at a summer potluck, or heading out camping, this no-mayo salad is always a hit.

Get the recipe: Broccoli Chicken Pasta Salad

23. Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

I love deviled eggs, but never make them as I always seem to be short on time these days.

Now you can get all that tasty deviled egg taste in hardly no time at all with this delicious pasta salad recipe.

Hearty, creamy, and quick to make, it will be ready in under 30 minutes.

I guarantee it will be a hit at all your spring and summer get-togethers and all year round.

Get the recipe: Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

24. Caesar Pasta Salad

Caesar Salad and pasta are two of the things my kids will eat voraciously without complaint. But when you combine the two together it’s like I’ve hit that magical unicorn meal jackpot.

Choose your favorite pasta shape, add some crunchy romaine lettuce, tomatoes, olives then toss with your favorite Caesar dressing, add fresh parmesan cheese and croutons for an easy meal or side.

Get the recipe: Caesar Pasta Salad

25. Tuna Pasta Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad is one of those easy summer go-to recipes that somehow always hits the spot.

It’s creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor thanks to dill relish, crisp celery, and red onion, all tossed with pasta and flaky tuna.

I usually mix in sweet peas, but bell pepper works great too if that’s more your thing.

It comes together fast, feeds a crowd, and somehow disappears even faster at family BBQs and poolside lunches.

Get the recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad