11 Pasta Salads That Prove the Side Dish Can Absolutely Steal the Whole Show

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The grill may start the meal, but the pasta salad can be the dish people remember first. These 11 pasta salads cover salmon, steak, chicken, shrimp, bacon, pepperoni, pesto, fresh vegetables, creamy dressings, and vinaigrettes. Several are designed for advanced chilling, while others hold crisp lettuce, croutons, or extra dressing until serving. Use the collection for cookouts, potlucks, picnics, and family dinners when the side dish deserves a larger share of the table.

Italian Pasta Salad

A scratch vinaigrette gives Italian Pasta Salad enough brightness and texture to stand ahead of anything coming off the grill. Fusilli, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, olives, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil make 8 servings. The full 1-hour-32-minute schedule includes 1 hour of chilling, with part of the dressing reserved for serving. Bring it to a cookout or potluck when the side dish needs to become the first bowl emptied.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

Salmon Pasta Salad

Flaked fish turns Salmon Pasta Salad into a substantial cold bowl that can compete with the main course. Chilled orecchiette, cooked salmon, grated cucumber, sour cream, mayonnaise, dill, parsley, and lemon juice make 10 servings. Preparation takes 5 minutes, and cooking takes 15 minutes, while the salted cucumber drains for about 20 minutes. Serve it at lunch, a picnic, or a backyard dinner when the pasta salad needs enough protein to lead the plate.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Rotisserie chicken brings extra weight to Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, while romaine and croutons add the crunch people expect from Caesar salad. Rotini, tomatoes, red onion, bacon, Parmesan, lemon, and creamy dressing fill 8 servings. The 1-hour-2-minute schedule includes 30 minutes of chilling, with the lettuce and croutons folded in just before serving. Set it out for a cookout or potluck where a loaded side can easily outshine the grilled food.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Steak & Pasta Salad

Tender beef gives Steak & Pasta Salad the kind of substance usually reserved for the center of the plate. Pasta, spinach, cherry tomatoes, radishes, corn, blue cheese, red onion, and optional candied walnuts are coated with buttermilk ranch. It makes 8 servings with 25 minutes of prep, followed by 20 minutes of chilling. Use leftover steak for a cookout, lunch, or potluck dish that makes people reconsider which part of dinner is supposed to be the main event.
Get the Recipe: Steak & Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Shrimp and chickpeas help Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp move beyond a basic pasta side. Orzo, feta, tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, dill, and parsley are tossed with a lemon and olive oil dressing. The recipe makes 8 servings in 35 minutes, followed by at least 1 hour of refrigeration. Bring it to a picnic or cookout when a chilled bowl needs enough color, protein, and texture to take over the table.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp

Pizza Pasta Salad

Pepperoni and Pepper Jack turn Pizza Pasta Salad into a familiar crowd-pleaser with more weight than an ordinary side. Fusilli, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, and dressing make 8 servings in 20 minutes. At least 1 hour in the refrigerator gives the flavors time to settle, and an extra splash of dressing can refresh the pasta before serving. Take it to a barbecue or potluck when the salad bowl needs to compete with pizza and burgers alike.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad

Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Fresh vegetables bring crisp texture to Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad, letting the bowl stand out without a creamy dressing. Farfalle, grape tomatoes, orange bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, black olives, red onion, and parsley are tossed with a garlic and red wine vinaigrette. The recipe makes 8 servings in 33 minutes and can be served immediately or chilled. Place it beside grilled food when garden produce deserves to become more memorable than the main dish.
Get the Recipe: Summer Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Picnic Bacon Pasta Salad

Smoky bacon and sharp cheddar give Picnic Bacon Pasta Salad enough richness to hold its own at any outdoor meal. Farfalle, grape tomatoes, green bell pepper, green onions, mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, bacon fat, parsley, and dill make 6 servings. Preparation and cooking take 50 minutes, followed by at least 1 hour of refrigeration when time allows. Pack it for a picnic or cookout where the side dish is likely to disappear before the burgers.
Get the Recipe: Picnic Bacon Pasta Salad

BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!

Crisp bacon and juicy tomatoes carry sandwich flavors into BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!, a chilled bowl made for shared meals. Pasta, romaine, red onion, parsley, mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon, lemon juice, and garlic make 8 servings. The recipe takes 25 minutes, followed by at least 30 minutes of chilling, and the lettuce can stay separate until serving. Bring it to a barbecue or potluck when the side needs enough crunch and smoke to steal the first round of servings.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad – With Bacon!

Pesto Orzo Salad

Basil pesto coats every small piece of pasta in Pesto Orzo Salad, giving the six-serving bowl a strong herb and cheese base. Orzo, mayonnaise, Parmesan, mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, lemon juice, pine nuts, and basil come together in 20 minutes. Another 30 minutes of chilling lets the ingredients settle before the pine nuts and basil go on top. Serve it at a cookout where a compact pasta side can become the dish people discuss afterward.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad

Cooked chicken makes Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad sturdy enough to work as a side, lunch, or light dinner. Bowtie pasta, roasted red peppers, red onion, basil, parsley, and garlic are paired with a Greek yogurt, lemon, and white wine vinegar dressing. The recipe makes 6 servings in 30 minutes, with the dressing kept cold until about 30 minutes before serving. Put it on the buffet when a practical leftover dish needs to become one of the strongest choices on the table.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Salad