60 Best Pasta Salad Recipes for Your Next Cookout or Potluck

How do you satisfy a cowboy? Pack a pasta salad with kielbasa, black-eyed peas, a medley of crunchy veggies, cheese, and a lime vinaigrette to keep it light and fresh.

Get Ree’s Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.

If you’re looking to try something really different, open a few packages of ramen! The noodles get baked so they stay crunchy, and then they’re tossed with veggies, mandarin oranges, and a tangy dressing.

Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.

This pasta salad is loaded with lots of tasty morsels, like tangy pickled vegetables and crispy chickpeas. It also has a Spanish-style romesco sauce made from roasted red peppers.

Get Ree’s Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.

Bow tie pasta is more than just cute! The shape is also great at clinging to the creamy salad dressing. That means you’ll get flavor, along with bits of ham and cheese, in every bite.

Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.

SHOP COOKWARE

The tiny orzo in this dish almost looks like a grain, but it cooks up in the same way as your typical pasta. When paired with juicy watermelon, salty feta, and fresh arugula, it becomes the perfect summer salad.

Get Ree’s Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad recipe.

Just like a chilled shrimp salad, this pasta salad is creamy and bright. It’s perfect for those days when you’re dreaming about the beach and want a taste of it at home.

Get the Shrimp Pasta Salad recipe.

This fun pasta salad variation has everything you love about tacos in a make-ahead side dish! It’s loaded with charred corn, spicy chorizo, Cotija cheese, and a surprising crunch from Takis chips.

Get the Taco Pasta Salad recipe.

This creamy, spicy dressing is made with pickled jalapeños, garlic, and a pop of lime. It’s perfect for those who like their pasta salad with a fiery kick.

Get Ree’s Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad recipe.

This pasta salad is more about the mix-ins and pesto dressing than it is about the actual noodles. (And that’s just the way Ree likes it!) It’s chock full of peas, arugula, mozzarella, and crispy prosciutto.

Get Ree’s Spring Pea Pesto Pasta Salad recipe.

SHOP SERVEWARE

Ree loves when orzo salads are “filled with everything under the sun” so this recipe has tons of tasty mix-ins, like chickpeas, olives, veggies, and feta. You can make it ahead and store it in a cooler for any outdoor event.

Get Ree’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.

Many people consider couscous as a type of pasta so it fits right in to this pasta salad category. Plus, it only takes five minutes to cook! Mix in veggies, pomegranate seeds, and herbs for light and flavorful picnic dish.

Get the Couscous Salad recipe.

The key to making this very delicious, ranch-filled pasta in advance of your next BBQ is keeping the bacon on the side until ready to serve. This way, it stays nice and crispy.

Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.

This Southwestern-inspired pasta salad will be the star of your next potluck. It’s packed with mix-ins, like avocado, corn, and cherry tomatoes, and the whole thing is dressed in a creamy, chipotle dressing.

Get the Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe.

This pasta salad was inspired by Ree’s popular chicken salad which has grapes and slivered almonds. Here, there’s also chilled noodles and a creamy dressing.

Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.

Between the sweet cherry tomatoes and the fresh basil, this pasta salad screams summer! A sprinkle of red chile flakes at the end helps to really liven up the flavor.

Get the Caprese Pasta Salad recipe.

Pasta salad is typically served as a side dish at barbecues but don’t let that fool you! This version is incredibly hearty thanks to pieces of salami, mozzarella, and baby bell peppers.

Get the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.