Greek pasta salad with tomato, black olives, cucumber, and feta cheese.

50 pasta salad recipes to pair perfectly with any meal

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October 20, 2021
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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.

While most people have their favorite recipe, there really is no right way to make it. Case in point: this list of 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

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 13 hrs 20 mins
- Total: 13 hrs 55 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Antipasto Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 35 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Greek Orzo Salad

- Prep: 1 hr 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 1 hr 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Israeli Couscous Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Additional: 45 mins
- Total: 95 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here

Spinach and Orzo Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 20 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Greek Pasta Salad I

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 25 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

Asian Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 8 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs 5 mins
- Total: 4 hrs 33 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 16
- Read more about the recipe here

Broccoli and Tortellini Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 30 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Amish Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Orzo Ham Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Classic Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs
- Total: 4 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing

- Prep: 35 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here

Simple Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Additional: 3 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Greek Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

German Shrimp Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 6-quart bowl
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

Quick Italian Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 25 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Frog Eye Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 13 hrs 20 mins
- Total: 13 hrs 65 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

Magnificent Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 5 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Awesome Pasta Salad

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Amish Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Cold Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Asian Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Amelia's Tuna Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Vermicelli Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 13 hrs 20 mins
- Total: 13 hrs 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Mom's Best Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 30 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Black Bean and Couscous Salad

- Prep: 30 mins
- Additional: 5 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Simple Tasty Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Tortellini Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Creamy Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here

Rainbow Pasta Salad II

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

Creamy Crab and Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 12 mins
- Total: 27 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

Acini di Pepe Salad

- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Sesame Noodle Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Thai-Inspired Noodle Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

Pearl Couscous Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Additional: 8 hrs
- Total: 8 hrs 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 19
- Read more about the recipe here

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 20 mins
- Total: 55 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

Seafood Pasta Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 5 hrs
- Total: 5 hrs 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Ham and Shell Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 11 mins
- Additional: 59 mins
- Total: 80 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

Rainbow Rotini Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

Ranch, Bacon, and Parmesan Pasta Salad

- Prep: 15 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Total: 2 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

Shrimp and Pasta Shell Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 2 hrs
- Total: 2 hrs 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

Salami Lover's Italian Pasta Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 65 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

Grandma's Macaroni Salad

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs
- Total: 4 hrs 35 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

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