25 Amazing Pasta Salad Recipes

Are you looking to impress your guests at your next summer event? Look no further than a delicious pasta salad. Take a look at our 25 Amazing Pasta Salad Recipes. Pasta salad is an undeniable must have dish at any outdoor gathering and you will find your new favorite to serve this summer. With limitless options for customization, pasta salad is the perfect dish to showcase your culinary creativity. While the main ingredients are simply pasta and dressing, let’s not settle for anything less than the best.

To ensure your pasta salad is a hit, choose a pasta shape that can stand up to the dressing and showcase the flavors of your added veggies, herbs, meats, and cheese. One of the most common questions is, does pasta shape matter? Yes, to some degree in that pasta shapes with curves and grooves tend to hold the seasonings and dressing better, therefore making each bite more flavorful.  

Top Pasta Shapes for the Perfect Pasta Salad

Fusilli, Rotini, and Cavatappi

Fusilli, Rotini, and Cavatappi – the trinity of perfect pasta salad! These spiral pasta shapes reign supreme as they trap the dressing in their twists and turns. Pasta salad reaches new heights of flavor when paired with fusilli, rotini, or cavatappi. Their complex curvature and design significantly increase the surface area, allowing dressing to cling on better. So, go ahead, throw in some veggies, cheese, and dressing into your pasta salad and let the spiral shapes do their magic!

Farfalle (Bowtie Pasta)

Bowtie pasta, also known as Farfalle, is fantastic in pasta salads. The ridges and folds of this pasta variety are excellent for enhancing and locking in flavor, making it the perfect choice for a satisfying cookout side dish. Not to mention the elegant bowtie shapes also adds an element of beauty to your salad.

Rotelle (Wheel Shaped Pasta)

Rotelle pasta is the perfect choice for a flavorful pasta salad, with its small and bite-sized pieces that can be easily scooped and enjoyed. It’s a great option to impress your guests, and you’ll love how confidently you can serve this dish. The versatility of Rotelle pasta, allows you to create an enjoyable side dish that will leave everyone asking for more!

Orzo

Orzo is hailed as the champion of pasta salads due to its unique consistency, similar to grains like rice or farro. With orzo as your base, let your creativity run wild, knowing that the playful pasta will add texture and depth to your dish. B

Tortellini

Stuffed pasta like tortellini may sound like an unconventional addition to a pasta salad but trust me on this one – it can take your dish to a whole new level! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying in some delicious stuffed pasta every now and then. When paired with the right dressing and complementary ingredients, tortellini salad can be a refreshing and satisfying side dish or a light yet filling entree.

Helpful Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad

• While it’s true that fresh pasta is a delicious option for hot dishes, it may not be the best choice for pasta salads. This is because fresh pasta is more delicate and can become mushy when mixed with dressing and various mix-ins. On the other hand, dried pasta tends to have a firmer texture that is better able to withstand the weight of additional ingredients, such as vegetables and meats. Plus, because dried pasta has a longer shelf life, it’s an ideal pantry staple to keep on hand for a quick pasta salad anytime. So, why not try mixing up your next pasta salad with some delicious, top-quality dried pasta?
• The key to a perfect pasta salad is all in the cooking, specifically not overcooking the pasta. When boiling your pasta, simply salt the water and cook it for one minute less than the instructions suggest. Once done, quickly drain the pasta and toss it in oil to prevent it from sticking together. Place it onto a cookie sheet and let it cool quickly for the perfect texture. Don’t worry, with these simple steps, your pasta salad will have the perfect texture.
• Don’t make the common mistake of dressing your pasta salad while it’s hot or keeping it in the fridge until it’s completely cold. The secret is to let it reach room temperature first. At this optimal temperature, the noodles will absorb the dressing just enough to create a perfectly flavorful and textured salad. By following this technique, your pasta salad will maintain its best texture, feel and taste.

Amazing Pasta Salad Recipes for Summer

Now that we covered the best pastas to use for pasta salad and how to cook it correctly, we can explore some amazing recipes to make. Try any one of these phenomenal creations and serve at your next event!

We hope you enjoyed his collection of amazing pasta salad recipes. Go ahead and make your favorite this summer season. Need more summer recipe inspirations? Serve a chilled cucumber salad at your next gathering. View our 15 Easy Recipes for Cucumber Salad.

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Yield: 25 recipes

25 AMAZING PASTA SALAD RECIPES

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Are you looking to impress your guests at your next summer event? Look no further than a delicious pasta salad. Pasta salad is an undeniable must have dish at any outdoor gathering. With limitless options for customization, pasta salad is the perfect dish to showcase your culinary creativity.

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Ingredients

• Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
• Greek Olive Pasta Salad
• Creamy Chicken Pesto Salad
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad
• Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
• Lemon-Dijon Asparagus and Pea Macaroni Salad
• Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
• Greek Style Grilled Shrimp Orzo Pasta Salad
• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
• Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad
• Potsticker Pasta Salad
• Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Tuscan Pasta Salad
• Lemony Spring Pasta Salad
• Vegan Pasta Salad, The Very Green Version
• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
• Our Favorite Macaroni Salad
• Food Truck Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
• Dill Pickle Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
• Lobster Roll Pasta Salad
• Green Goddess Pasta Salad with
• Thai Peanut Pasta Salad
• Steakhouse Pasta Salad
• Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad
• Easy Summer Tortellini Pasta Salad

Instructions

1. View our 25 Amazing Pasta Salad Recipes.
2. Choose your favorite pasta salad recipe.
3. Click on Get the Recipe
4. Gather your ingredients.
5. Make the delicious pasta salad recipe.
6. Enjoy your creation and don't forget follow the recipe creator and leave a review of the recipe.

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