Life
17 Pasta Salad Recipes that Are Way Better Than You Knew Pasta Salad Could Be
Pasta salad is perhaps the easiest, and potentially the most delicious, food you can bring to a potluck or picnic. We're not talking about that gross, gooey, mayonnaise-y stuff, though. These 17 picks, culled from some of the best bloggers on the Internet, are loaded with fresh pestos, soba noodles, Thai seasonings, grilled peaches — none of that canned olive or bottled Italian dressing crap. Feast your eyes — and your bellies — on the pasta salads to conquer all pasta salads. Yum!
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Brussels Sprouts and Dijon Pasta Salad
This savory and slightly spicy pasta salad by Love and Lemons uses so many veggies, it’s almost like eating a regular salad.
Image: Love and Lemons
Grilled Kale and Red Pepper Tuscan Pasta Salad
Kale salad with a pasta topper by Half Baked Harvest is a perfect vegetarian option at any barbecue.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Asian Sesame Chicken Noodle Salad
For a healthy, summery take on Chinese food, try making this Asian noodle salad by Steamy Kitchen.
Image: Steamy Kitchen
Orzo and Arugula Lemon Thyme Salad
Orzo is the perfect pasta salad noodle, and this recipe by Love and Lemons proves it.
Image: Love and Lemons
Spicy Tahini Soba Noodle Salad
Sesame paste adds a rich flavor to your noodles without any cream, per A Cozy Kitchen.
Image: A Cozy Kitchen
Israeli Couscous Salad
This spin on a traditional tomato and cucumber Israeli salad by My Name is Yeh adds the perfect amount of carbs to this warm-weather dish.
Image: My Name is Yeh
Orange Cream Pasta Salad
Goat cheese adds the creaminess in this citrus-spiked pasta salad by Healthful Pursuit.
Image: Healthful Pursuit
Heirloom Tomato and Grilled Peach Pasta Salad
Add some fruit to your pasta salad with this creative and super tasty recipe by How Sweet it Is.
Image: How Sweet it Is
Asian Pasta Salad
This Asian-inspired macaroni salad by Damn Delicious gets its creaminess from sesame vinaigrette and avocado.
Image: Damn Delicious
Roasted Beets and Bleu Cheese Orzo Salad
Beet salad has been all the rage this spring, and Naturally Ella helps us bring these flavors to pasta salad, too.
Image: Naturally Ella
Ravioli Salad with Black Olives
Ravioli may be the best type of pasta, especially when paired with salty olives and crunchy pepitas. Thanks, Eats Well With Others.
Image: Eats Well with Others
Peanut Noodle and Bean Sprout Salad
This peanut noodle salad is easily a whole meal, rather than just a side dish. Naturally Ella’s recipe is easy to make and keeps well without refrigeration for hours.
Image: Naturally Ella
Pesto Pasta Salad with Artichokes
A good pesto can be the key to a perfect cold pasta dish. This recipe by Savory Sweet Life uses plenty of greens.
Image: Savory Sweet Life
Bell Pepper Farfalle Salad
Farfalle with diced vegetables may look like your standard buffet fare, but The Healthy Foodie gives us a gourmet version that’s almost impossible not to gobble up.
Image: The Healthy Foodie
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
A Mediterranean diet is supposed to be the healthiest one, so why not toss in some pasta, like in this recipe by Mel’s Kitchen Cafe?
Image: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Broccoli Tortellini Salad
All the fresh greens in this recipe from Alida’s Kitchen make the tortellini salad super tasty, and even a bit healthy!
Image: Alida’s Kitchen
Soba Noodle Salad with Caramelized Chicken
This noodle salad by How Sweet it Is. has the perfect ratio of carbs to protein to greens, and it looks like a vision of summer.
Image: How Sweet it Is
