Pasta salad is a quick, easy, and cold side to have on hand for the nights you’re steering clear of the oven and frankly don’t feel like eating hot food because who wants to eat hot food in these temperatures? Not only is pasta salad a great weeknight side, but odds are, you’ll be attending some functions this summer and pasta salad is a great side to show up with. And while you may think pasta salad sounds boring, that’s where you’re wrong. And it’s okay because we consider ourselves pasta salad connoisseurs and we have a ton of non-boring pasta salad recipes to share with you, we’ll start with our all-time favorites today.
Spicy Thai Pasta Salad
See? We told you these recipes aren’t boring! If you like hot, tangy Thai dishes, then you’ll probably want to sit and eat this whole bowl in one sitting. Not that we’ve ever done that. Because we totally haven’t. Anyway, this recipe combines crushed red pepper, sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, and fresh green onions to create a pasta salad like no other. (Okay, we’re being dramatic, but it’s so good!) Get the full recipe here.
Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad
This is a great salad to make if your garden is bursting with cherry tomatoes and basil, but if not, in true Ina Garten fashion, store-bought is fine. We love a Caprese chicken pasta salad because all of the fresh ingredients paired with the chicken make for a refreshing yet filling dish. Get the full recipe here.
Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
Another quick, easy, and refreshing pasta salad is this pesto chicken salad that combines Italian dressing, pesto, spinach, arugula, and a store-bought rotisserie chicken making it a great option when you really aren’t trying to use those hot kitchen appliances. Get the full recipe here.
Southwestern Pasta Salad
Can we all just agree that everything is better drenched in chipotle Ranch? And that pasta salad is not excluded from that narrative? This recipe calls for fresh veggies, fresh herbs, and even some canned vegetables making this just about the easiest dish to throw together ever. Oh, and it’s jam-packed with flavor. Get the full recipe here.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
If you love Mexican Street Corn, then you will love and appreciate this pasta salad for everything it is. This recipe combines corn, cotija, and a dressing that is creamy and tangy giving every bite a burst of flavor. Get the full recipe here.