Easy Pasta Salad Recipes

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This collection of easy pasta salad recipes is perfect for meal preps and summer entertaining. From easy grab and go lunches, to sophisticated sides for al fresco dining, there is a pasta salad recipe to suit every occasion.

Easy Pasta Salad Recipes

Grinder Pasta Salad

Grinder Pasta Salad is inspired by the TikTok viral Grinder Sandwich. A pasta salad packed with salami, pepperoni, tomato, peppers, pickled chilli and crunchy lettuce all tied together with a creamy dressing.

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Cucumber and Tomato Pasta Salad

If you need a light and fresh side dish for summer, this Cucumber and Tomato Pasta Salad is perfect. Sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and pasta tossed in a light lemony dressing, its the perfect simple pasta salad for all occasions.

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Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad

Tender orzo pasta tossed with fresh basil pesto, tangy olives, sweet tomatoes, chickpeas and salty feta cheese. Perfect for meal prep, this orzo salad is excellent alone as an easy weekday meal or side dish.

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Chicken Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad

Classic Caesar Salad coupled with pasta – what's not to love? Chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy romaine lettuce and pasta tossed in a creamy and tangy homemade caesar dressing and topped off with a scattering of garlic herb breadcrumbs. The perfect pasta salad for any occasion.

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

The perfect summer pasta salad, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is great for BBQs, Pot Lucks and easy transportable lunches. Pasta tossed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, tangy olives and sweet tomatoes and corn, with a creamy and herby ranch dressing. Make a big batch – I promise it won't last long!

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Chicken Sweetcorn Pasta Salad with Tomato and Spinach

Pasta Salad with paprika marinated chicken, sweetcorn, tomato, spinach, spring onion and a zingy lime, sour cream and mayo dressing.

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Smoked Mackerel Pasta Salad

Mackerel Pasta Salad is quick, easy and packed full of flavour. Perfect for meal prep, with smoked mackerel, celery, green olives and shallot in a tangy lemon and herb dressing, this tasty pasta salad makes a great lunch or dinner.

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Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Salad

If you want a fresh and healthy pasta salad without a heavy mayo dressing then look no further than this mediterranean inspired Tuna Pasta Salad. Pasta and flaked tuna tossed with fresh tomato and cucumber, tangy olives and capers, crunchy onion and a lemon Dijon dressing, this is a great summer pasta salad.

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Prawn Pasta Salad with Lemon and Dill

Fresh and light, this Prawn Pasta Salad with a creamy lemon and dill dressing is inspired by Swedish Skagen. Perfect for summer!

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What to Eat with Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad makes a great meal on its own. I love to prepare a large bowl to keep in the fridge for easy grab and go lunches. Since it is easy to transport in Tupperware or a lunchbox it makes a great work or school lunch option.

Pasta salad is excellent as a side dish for most proteins (depending on the ingredients in the salad). My Cucumber and Tomato Salad goes great with grilled seafood, this Orzo Pesto Salad is perfect with chicken and Ranch Pasta Salad is a great all-rounder for steak night or a BBQ party. Try serving it as a side at your next grill night or BBQ, or take some pasta salad to a picnic or potluck.

FAQ

Can you freeze pasta salad?

I don’t recommend freezing pasta salad. The pasta will soak up a lot of liquid from the dressing and vegetables while freezing and thawing, causing it to get mushy. And creamy, mayonnaise or yoghurt based dressing will separate.

What is the best way to store pasta salad?

Most pasta salad will store in the fridge for 3-5 days, depending on the ingredients (salads with meat or dairy ingredients will not last as long as veggie based salads for example). Pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container or food-safe ziploc bag.

Can pasta salad be prepared in advance?

Yes – most pasta salads are better when prepared in advance, as this gives the flavours time to meld and the past can soak up some of the dressing. However some ingredients, like lettuce, are best added at the time of serving.

What temperature should pasta salad be served at?

Most pasta salad recipes are best served at room temperature. If you are preparing in advance and refrigerating it, then remove from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving for best results.

What is the best pasta for pasta salad?

It depends on the recipe, but most short shapes work well for pasta salad. The very best pasta shapes for salad are twisty varieties like fusilli, rotini, cavatappi or my personal favourite Bucati Corti. These more ‘complicated’ shapes have lots of texture and ridges for the dressing to stick to. Elbow macaroni and farfalle or bowtie pasta are also popular choices for pasta salad and some recipes work well with tiny shapes like orzo or ditalini.