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When summer rolls around, I always find myself searching for the best Pasta Salad Recipes to share with friends and family.
There’s something about a refreshing Summer Pasta Salad that just screams warm weather and good times. In this blog post, I’ve gathered some of my favorite Salads for a Crowd that are not only delicious but also easy to prepare.
These are some of the best Summer Pasta Salad Recipes I’ve discovered on the internet, and I’ve linked to the original recipes for each pasta salad. The pictures you see are my own versions of these delicious Cold Pasta Salad recipes, with a few tweaks to lighten them up or speed up the preparation process.
Whether you’re looking for unique Pasta Side Dishes like the Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad or the Dill Pickle Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, these salads are sure to impress at your next gathering.
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Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing
PF Chang’s Home Menu Sesame Sauce
Wishbone Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette.
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Pasta Salad Recipes for a Crowd | Summer Salads
Cold Spaghetti Pasta Salad – Recipe Inspired by Averie Cooks
This Cold Spaghetti Pasta Salad features al dente spaghetti mixed with fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions and black olives. I added in mild pepper rings and then just tossed in Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing. I topped it off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This colorful and flavorful salad is perfect for serving a crowd at summer gatherings.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad – Recipe Inspired by Mission-Food.com
This creamy Hawaiian macaroni salad is a mix of elbow macaroni, shredded carrots, and finely chopped onions, all tossed in a rich, tangy dressing. I lightened it up with using half of the mayonnaise (used Hellmann’s Light) mixed with light sour cream. It’s the perfect dish for a potluck or family gathering, exuding a comforting, homemade vibe.
Taco Pasta Salad – The Pioneer Woman
This colorful pasta salad combines orecchiette pasta, sweet corn, spicy chorizo sausage, and thinly sliced green onions, all tossed with pickled jalapeños and crumbled cojita cheese. Lightly mixed with a creamy sour cream dressing and it’s finished with crunchy flavored tortilla chips for a festive and flavorful dish. To lighten up the dressing, I used Hellmann’s Light Mayonnaise and fat free sour cream instead of regular mayo and sour cream. Just as good – just as creamy.
This colorful pasta salad combines orecchiette pasta, sweet corn, spicy chorizo sausage, and thinly sliced green onions, all tossed with pickled jalapeños and crumbled cotija cheese. Lightly mixed with a creamy sour cream dressing and it’s finished with crunchy flavored tortilla chips for a festive and flavorful dish.
Sesame Noodle Salad – Inquiring Chef.com
This sesame noodle salad combines thin spaghetti noodles with shredded carrots, purple cabbage, and sliced green onions, all tossed in a savory sesame soy dressing. Garnished with chopped peanuts for added crunch, this makes for a colorful and delicious dish. Instead of sesame peanut sauce (very expensive), I used PF Chang’s Home Menu Sesame Sauce.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad –Â Â Sweet and Savory Steph
This buffalo chicken pasta salad combines shell pasta with chunks of seasoned chicken, finely chopped celery, diced red onion, and sliced green onions. Coated in a creamy, spicy buffalo dressing, it’s a bold and flavorful dish perfect for a hearty meal
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Summer Avocado Pasta Salad – Reluctant Entertainer
This summer avocado pasta salad combines orecchiette pasta with creamy avocado chunks, halved cherry tomatoes, green peas, and crispy bacon bits. Lightly tossed in a creamy dressing and garnished with fresh dill, it’s a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a summer meal. To lighten it up, I used Turkey Bacon and Light Mayonnaise
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad – Lemons and Zest
This lemon orzo salad combines tender orzo pasta with diced red bell peppers, sliced cucumbers, and red onions. I topped it with fat free crumbled feta cheese and freshly chopped parsley, the salad is lightly dressed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette, offering a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for any meal.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad – Recipe Runner
This chicken Caesar pasta salad combines rotini pasta with crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and grilled chicken chunks. Drizzled with my favorite Creamy Asiago Caesar Dressing and topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, it’s a hearty and flavorful dish ideal for any occasion.
Spicy Vegetable Pasta Salad – The Pioneer Woman
This vibrant pasta salad called for wagon wheel pasta. However, to lighten it up a bit, I used whole wheat rotini pasta instead. The pasta is mixed with fresh mini diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes, and corn kernels. Fresh parsley and green onions are scattered throughout, all lightly coated in a creamy dressing, creating a colorful and flavorful dish perfect for any gathering. I substituted regular mayo light mayo and subbed out the sour cream for fat free sour cream.
Dill Pickle Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – Whats Mom Cookin
This dill pickle bacon ranch pasta salad combines rotini pasta with crispy bacon pieces, chunks of cheddar cheese, and diced dill pickles. To save time and some calories, I just used whole dill pickle slices, Kraft Shredded Fat Free Cheddar Cheese and turkey bacon. Coated in a lightened up rich ranch dressing (by subbing out regular mayo for light mayo and using fat free sour cream) and garnished with fresh dill, it’s a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for any occasion.
Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad – Carlsbad Cravings
This Southwest tortellini salad includes cheese tortellini mixed with halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, diced avocado, and red bell peppers. It is garnished with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), fresh cilantro, and grated Cotija cheese. The original recipe called for bacon and a creamy salsa dressing. To save time, I omitted the bacon (lots of flavors going on already) and I used Wishbone Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette. So good!!! This is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
Bloody Mary Pasta Salad – Heinz
This Bloody Mary pasta salad combines spiral rotini pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green olives, and crisp celery pieces. Crispy bacon bits add a savory crunch, all coated in a tangy Bloody Mary-inspired dressing for a unique and flavorful dish. To liven it up a bit and save some time, I added in sliced black and green olives and used fully cooked bacon strips.
I hope these Summer Pasta Salad Recipes inspire you to create delicious and refreshing dishes for your next gathering. Whether you’re whipping up a Cold Pasta Salad for a picnic or a hearty Pasta Side Dish for a barbecue, these recipes are sure to please a crowd. Happy cooking!
