Never Think About What to Make for Dinner for the Next Two Months with My Lazy Cooking Bundle
Pasta Salad Recipes are always a huge hit at BBQ’s, potlucks, picnics, and anywhere else that you need a good old fashioned pasta salad recipe that will feed a crowd.
From dill pickle pasta salad to cold pasta salad pepperoni, there is a recipe on this list for any occasion that everyone will fall in love with.
Have picky eaters? Kids and adults alike will will gobble up these classic pasta salad recipes no doubt!
HOW DO YOU MAKE PASTA SALAD FROM SCRATCH?
As long as you incorporate a few simple tricks that we’ve learned over the years, making a creamy pasta salad recipe from scratch is easy!
- Cook your pasta per package directions.
- Drain and rinse pasta under cold water. Once cooled down, put in a large bowl and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well. This will ensure your pasta won’t stick together while it is chilling in the refrigerator.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. The more time chilling, the better the pasta salad will turn out.
- When you are ready, take the chilled pasta out of the refrigerator and stir well. Add remaining ingredients and serve!
HOW EARLY CAN I MAKE PASTA SALAD?
The best thing about pasta salads are that you can make them 1-2 days in advance. Make sure to cover them tightly and store them in the refrigerator.
If your pasta salad calls for mayonnaise, it’s a good idea to add a bit of mayo to cream it up right before serving. Usually a 1/2 cup will do!
Lettuce doesn’t do well when making a pasta salad in advance. I’d recommend adding the lettuce right before serving that way you won’t have wilted lettuce in your beautiful dish.
Italian dressings do the best when making your salad in advance. Make sure to add just a bit to freshen the salad up before serving.
Hungry yet? Check out our list of Easy Pasta Salad Recipes below:
1. BLT PASTA SALAD
From SPACESHIPS AND LASER BEAMS :: CLICK HERE for the Full Recipe The perfect fresh side dish for any potluck, this BLT pasta salad not only has juicy cherry tomatoes, chopped bacon, and —you guessed it—crisp romaine, but is made even better by a zesty ranch based dressing.
2. MACARONI SALAD – MOM’S RECIPE!
From JULIE’S EATS AND TREATS :: Click HERE for the RECIPE A classic Macaroni Salad that is a hit for potlucks, parties and BBQs with both kids and adults. It’s quick, easy and delicious recipe which makes it the perfect side dish.
3. DILL PICKLE PASTA SALAD
From Spend With Pennies :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is literally my favorite pasta salad ever! In this creamy pasta salad recipe, dill pickles play a starring role and add tons of flavor and crunch! It is even better when it’s made ahead of time making it the perfect potluck dish!
4. RANCH PASTA SALAD
From SALTY SIDE DISH :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas is a delicious blend of Ranch seasoning, mayo, crunchy bacon and cheese to pull together this filling, tasty, and easy side salad. The soft mini pasta shells are the perfect filling combination with fresh or frozen peas.
5. AVOCADO PASTA SALAD
From Spend With Pennies :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Avocado Pasta Salad is a rich, creamy and totally delicious pasta salad loaded with fresh juicy tomatoes, crisp bacon and creamy avocados. This pasta salad uses avocados in place of mayonnaise for a dressing that is rich and creamy yet loaded with the benefits of avocado!
6. THE BEST PASTA SALAD
From IOWA GIRL EATS :: Click HERE for the RECIPE The BEST Pasta Salad is a family recipe that’s a hit at parties, potlucks, or as a zest side dish with dinner. Full of flavor and punch!
7. CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD
From JUST A TASTE :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Whip up a 20-minute meal in-a-bowl with a refreshing recipe for Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad starring DIY dressing.
8. HAWAIIAN TORTELLINI SALAD
From The Slow Roasted Italian :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Hawaiian Tortellini Salad is a like a party in your mouth! It’s a blend of your favorite island flavors in a fabulously bright, sweet and tangy summer pasta salad. A simple recipe with an outstanding pineapple-ginger dressing, this will be a hit everywhere you take it.
9. SHRIMP PASTA SALAD
From I WASH YOU DRY :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Shrimp Pasta Salad is a super simple pasta dish that’s perfect for potluck, BBQ’s, and parties!
10. TUNA MACARONI SALAD
From SPICY SOUTHERN KITCHEN :: Click HERE for the RECIPE Tuna Macaroni Salad is a classic potluck recipe and is so easy to throw together. It is creamy and delicious with lots of hard-boiled egg, peas, celery, onion, and sweet pickle relish.
No longer have pineapples growing commercially in Hawaii…pineapples in Hawaii now come most often from Mexico and Philippines. A gentle reminder that adding pineapples to any dish does not make it “Hawaiian”.
You can find tortellini in markets in HI. But you have to look carefully for a pineapple…sad but true.
Pineapples made it back to Mexico full circle…originally from Mexico, domesticated and grown in Hawaii in 19th century. Tomatoes are also native to Mexico. Who knew? We trace food origins in foodies club in an afterschool program.
I love your recipes
much too pretty to eat…but it was enjoyed! thanx