4 Irresistible Pasta Salad Recipes to Try This Season
Pasta salads are the perfect addition to any meal—fresh, flavorful, and easy to make. Whether you’re looking for something creamy, tangy, or packed with protein, these four pasta salad recipes will become your go-to favorites.
1. BLT Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 (16-oz) box Rotini pasta
- 13 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ large red onion, chopped
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 1 (1-oz) Hidden Valley Dressing Mix (dry)
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
- Combine pasta, bacon, onion, cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, and parsley in a bowl.
- Mix dressing mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream in another bowl.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss. Chill before serving.
2. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 12 oz spiral pasta
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 1 packet Ranch dressing mix
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta and let it cool completely.
- Combine chicken, cheese, tomato, bacon, and zucchini in a bowl.
- Mix mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch mix, and spices together.
- Toss pasta with chicken mixture and dressing. Refrigerate before serving.
3. Summer Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 12 oz Rotini pasta
- 1 tbsp + ½ tsp kosher salt
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups mini cucumbers, sliced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, minced
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Cook pasta in salted water, drain and cool.
- Mix vegetables and feta in a bowl.
- Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, basil, garlic, and pepper for dressing.
- Combine all ingredients and toss well. Chill before serving.
4. Creamy Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp ranch seasoning
- 1½ tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 7 oz ham steak, cubed
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup red onion, sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
Instructions:
- Cook the pasta, drain, and cool.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, milk, vinegar, ranch seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Combine pasta, ham, cheese, cucumber, onion, and tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over and mix well. Refrigerate before serving.
