Summer Pasta Salads

Pesto Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Mozzarella Recipe

This bright and fresh Caprese-inspired pasta toss is the ultimate summer main for a busy weeknight, outdoor picnic, or lunch on the go. With just two steps, it couldn't be easier. 

Chicken and Arugula Pasta Salad Recipe

Just a bit of a rich and pungent cheese can go quite a long way. Tossing hot pasta with a few ounces of creamy Brie makes for a light, luscious, and flavorful sauce to coat this abundant bowl of chicken, fresh veggies, and whole-grain noodles.

Field Pea and Pasta Salad Recipe

Farfalle and fresh veggies make a seriously delicious summer side.

Farmers' Market Pasta Salad Recipe

Cook the pasta al dente (1 or 2 minutes shorter than package directions specify) so it holds its shape when tossed with the vegetables and vinaigrette. Ripe for riffs, the salad is also delicious with cheese-filled tortellini.

Green Bean Pasta Salad with Lemon-Thyme Vinaigrette Recipe

This pasta side dish Is made with casarecce [cah-sah-RECH-ee], a pasta that looks similar to a scroll with the long sides curled inward toward the center. If you can’t find casarecce, you can use penne pasta.

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad Recipe

Turn your favorite broccoli salad into a pasta salad by adding chopped broccoli, grapes, pecans, and bacon to cooked pasta and tossing with a sweet and creamy mayonnaise dressing.

Penne with Green Beans and Tomatoes Recipe

Add zing to your salads with fresh dill, or swap it for basil, mint, or parsley. For pasta, try using whole wheat for its earthy, toothsome quality; any kind will do.

Orzo Salad with Zucchini and Feta Recipe

Zucchini and feta pair well with orzo in this light summer side dish.

Cavatappi Pasta Salad with Walnut-Sage Pesto Recipe

A traditional pesto is made with pine nuts and basil, but this version features the more intense flavors of walnuts and fresh sage. The warm pasta is tossed with the pesto, roasted butternut squash, and arugula for a satisfying salad that can fill in as a main dish.

Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe

All your favorite summer flavors in one bowl? Believe it! This pasta salad pairs perfectly with grilled fish or a hearty burger.

Peppery Monterey Jack Pasta Salad Recipe

Acini di pepe are tiny pasta rounds resembling peppercorns. Use ditalini (very short tube-shaped macaroni) or any other small pasta shape if you can't find acini di pepe.

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Go Greek with your pasta salad by stirring in cucumber, tomato, olives, spinach, and feta, and tossing the mixture in a tangy vinaigrette.

Eggplant Pasta Salad Recipe

Make a Mediterranean pasta salad by cooking eggplant along with tomatoes and olive oil, then tossing the eggplant mixture with penne pasta, pine nuts and parsley.

Chicken and Arugula Pasta Salad Recipe

Just a bit of a rich and pungent cheese can go quite a long way. Tossing hot pasta with a few ounces of creamy Brie makes for a light, luscious, and flavorful sauce to coat this abundant bowl of chicken, fresh veggies, and whole-grain noodles.

Creamy Cavatappi with Edamame, Lemon, and Tarragon Recipe

This hearty pasta dish will go fast at summer gatherings. We prefer Cavatappi noodles as the base, but you can substitute your favorite type.

Tuna-Macaroni Salad Recipe

This colorful macaroni salad with tuna features grated carrot, chopped celery and red onion, all tossed in a creamy mayonnaise-yogurt dressing. Serve it chilled as a side salad or a main dish.

Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese Recipe

Make an upscale pasta salad that’s company worthy by combining penne pasta, roasted asparagus, arugula, herbes de Provence and goat cheese and tossing with a lemony vinaigrette.

Smoked Gouda and Penne Pasta Salad Recipe

You’ll need only six ingredients for this flavorful and easy pasta salad. Smoked gouda and sun-dried tomato are the keys to the salad’s robust flavor.

Orecchiette with Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil Recipe

Taking its cue from Italy's insalata caprese, this easy dish combines fresh mozzarella cheese with basil and tomatoes.

Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Make a creamy Caesar salad dressing and add to cooked fusilli pasta, along with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, for a flavorful side dish pasta salad.

Macaroni Salad with Summer Tomatoes Recipe

White balsamic vinegar, tomato, and basil help this side dish maintain its fresh appeal.  Click here for more macaroni salad recipes.

Green Bean and Whole-grain Penne Salad Recipe

This salad is all about contrasts in flavor and texture: chewy, nutty pasta mingled with crisp, sweet green beans and strewn with bits of crunchy bacon and creamy.

Summer Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Our colorful pasta salad is so satisfying it qualifies as dinner.

Sweet Pea-and-Mint Pasta Toss Recipe

Serve this minty side with grilled shrimp for a quick company-worthy dinner. Can't find torcetti? Use cavatappi or gemelli.

Triple-Pepper Pasta Salad Recipe

This dish is an exposition of sweet peppers. Here they're charred and pureed for a sauce, roasted and stirred into the pasta, and quick-cured for a pretty topper.

Grilled Yellow Squash and Zucchini Pasta Salad Tout

Use your bounty of summer squash to make a fresh and colorful pasta salad. The recipe calls for bowtie pasta, but you can use any shaped pasta you have on hand.

Watermelon-and-Feta Orzo Salad Recipe

Punch up this classic pairing of watermelon and feta with peppery watercress or arugula.

Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe

Add bright flavor and a punch of color to the traditional pasta salad by using a simple homemade pesto. Mix the pesto ingredients in a food processor for a quick side, which only calls for three other ingredients.

Orzo with Sesame and Peas Recipe

Paul Pastina was looking for something colorful and light to serve with chicken and fish when he came up with this quick dish infused with Asian flavors.

Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe

Instead of a mayonnaise-based dressing, this fruited pasta salad has a citrus-mustard vinaigrette. Chopped celery and toasted walnuts add crunch, and red grapes contribute just the right amount of sweetness.

Chicken-Penne Salad with Green Beans Recipe

Fresh green beans and roasted red peppers are the stars of this satisfying pasta salad. Because it has shredded chicken, it's certainly hearty enough for a quick weeknight meal and takes about 35 minutes to make.

Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

Feature your favorite Greek flavors in this easy pasta salad: feta cheese, cucumbers, and Kalamata olives. The dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano further bring out the salad's Grecian nature, and fresh tuna makes it worthy of serving on Mount Olympus.

Tomato-and-Gorgonzola Pasta Salad Recipe

We love juicy beefsteaks for their sweet, intense flavor. Colorful small tomatoes and any crumbled cheese work well here too.

Macaroni Salad with Bacon, Peas, and Creamy Dijon Dressing Recipe

It's hard to say what makes this salad so spectacular–it's either crisp bacon crumbles or the creamy dressing that's made with cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. This will be quite a crowd pleaser at your next picnic.

Tex-Mex Pasta Salad Recipe

This kid-friendly recipe is a takeoff on macaroni and cheese; it makes a large batch that holds well for two or three days. Serve with pickled jalapeño slices for grownups who like spicy food.

Tortelloni-and-Grilled Vegetable Salad Recipe

This versatile pasta pairs with any grilled vegetable, so use what you have on hand or what looks best at the farmers' market.

Garlicky Vegetable Pasta Salad Recipe

Add grilled red peppers, onions, portobello mushrooms, asparagus, feta cheese, and olives to fusilli for a hearty pasta side dish with Mediterranean flair.

Soba Noodle Salad with Pork, Snap Peas, and Radishes Recipe

This light and refreshing pasta salad is delicious and rounds out at under 200 calories.

Greek-Style Pasta Salad Recipe

This Greek-style pasta salad has a crisp and delicious flavor.

Orzo Salad with Corn, Green Beans, and Tomatoes Recipe

Summer vegetables shine in this easy-to-assemble pasta salad. Because you can make it ahead and let it chill, it's perfect for picnics and covered-dish suppers.

Confetti Pasta Salad with Chicken Recipe

A colorful medley of chopped fresh veggies gives this creamy pasta salad both color and flavor. For a shortcut, you can use rotisserie chicken instead of simmering fresh chicken breasts. Or, stir in leftover grilled chicken.

Prosciutto and Picholine Pasta Salad Recipe

Intensely-flavored Mediterranean ingredients such as olives, Dijon mustard, prosciutto and Parmesan cheese make this a memorable salad. Serve it chilled with a glass of wine.

Summer Farfalle Salad with Smoked Salmon Recipe

Combine bow tie pasta with baby spinach, cheery tomatoes, and smoked salmon for a cool and classy salad that's perfect for hot summer nights.

Pizza Pasta Salad Recipe

Use fresh basil and oregano from your herb garden along with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and pepperoni to create a pasta salad that's full of pizza flavors.

Spinach, Tomato, and Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Recipe

Dressed with a simple vinaigrette made from fresh herbs and a good quality extra-virgin olive oil, this pasta salad is as delicious as it is easy to prepare. The homemade Italian dressing will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days, so consider doubling the recipe to keep some on hand.