50 pasta salad recipes to pair perfectly with any meal
50 pasta salad recipes to pair perfectly with any meal
There's no such thing as the perfect dish, but if there was it might be some variation of pasta salad. A crowd favorite that is easily portable and endlessly flexible– you can add in almost anything you like– pasta salad can work as a side dish, a main dish, or an appetizer. With the unofficial start of summer right around the corner—Memorial Day weekend 2024 kicks off on May 24—there's no better time to celebrate this iconic summer dish.
The origins of what seems to be a distinctively American concoction—room temperature noodles dressed with mayonnaise, mustard, and/or oil and red wine vinegar—are a bit unclear. Many say the version we know (and mostly love) today is a spinoff of German potato salad spawned at the turn of the 20th century, but others say it dates back much further either to the Phonecians between 2500-64 B.C.E. or to Italian Jews in the Roman Empire, who would reuse cold pasta on the sabbath when cooking is prohibited.
Today, many Italians would likely bristle at the mayo-drenched U.S. versions of pasta salad (though they do have their own take in the form of pasta fredda, typically filled with cheese and vegetables and dressed with oil and garlic).
The truth is, while many people have their favorite pasta salad recipe, there really is no right way to make it. Case in point: this list of 50 pasta salad recipes Stacker compiled from Allrecipes. From classics to more unique takes on the food, you're sure to stumble across a preparation you've never thought of before.
Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (323 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 13 hours 20 minutes
- Total time: 13 hours 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,549 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here
Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (197 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Greek Orzo Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (635 reviews)
- Prep time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Israeli Couscous Salad
- Rating: 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Additional time: 45 minutes
- Total time: 95 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here
Spinach and Orzo Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (854 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Greek Pasta Salad I
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,055 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 2 hours
- Total time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here
Asian Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (451 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.8/5 (428 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 8 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 33 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here
Broccoli and Tortellini Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (704 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (178 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Amish Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,382 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,518 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Orzo Ham Salad
- Rating: 4.2/5 (32 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
Classic Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,842 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing
- Rating: 4.7/5 (277 reviews)
- Prep time: 35 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 45 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here
Simple Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (173 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Additional time: 3 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Greek Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (390 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 3 hours
- Total time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
German Shrimp Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 6-quart bowl
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
Quick Italian Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.8/5 (165 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Frog Eye Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (283 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Additional time: 13 hours 20 minutes
- Total time: 13 hours 65 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here
Magnificent Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (179 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 5 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,518 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Awesome Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (711 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Amish Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,382 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Easy Cold Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (75 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 2 hours
- Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here
Chicken Club Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (351 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Easy Asian Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Amelia's Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (171 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Vermicelli Salad
- Rating: 4.8/5 (17 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 13 hours 20 minutes
- Total time: 13 hours 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Mom's Best Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.4/5 (690 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Black Bean and Couscous Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,441 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Additional time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Simple Tasty Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Tortellini Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (186 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Easy Tuna Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.9/5 (7 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
Creamy Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (57 reviews)
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here
Rainbow Pasta Salad II
- Rating: 4.6/5 (164 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here
Creamy Crab and Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.4/5 (52 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12 minutes
- Total time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here
Acini di Pepe Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (131 reviews)
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Sesame Noodle Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (274 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Thai-Inspired Noodle Salad
- Rating: 4.4/5 (283 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here
Pearl Couscous Salad
- Rating: 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Additional time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 50 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 19
- Read more about the recipe here
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Rating: 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 55 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here
Seafood Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (260 reviews)
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 5 hours
- Total time: 5 hours 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Ham and Shell Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 11 minutes
- Additional time: 59 minutes
- Total time: 80 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here
Rainbow Rotini Salad
- Rating: 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here
Ranch, Bacon, and Parmesan Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.4/5 (79 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Total time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here
Shrimp and Pasta Shell Salad
- Rating: 4.8/5 (193 reviews)
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Additional time: 2 hours
- Total time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here
Salami Lover's Italian Pasta Salad
- Rating: 4.4/5 (42 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 65 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here
Grandma's Macaroni Salad
- Rating: 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Additional time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here
