17 Pasta Salad Recipes to Toss Up Your Summer

Hey there, pasta lovers!

If you’re ready to twirl your fork into something fresh, flavorful, and downright fun, you’ve landed in the right spot.

I’ve rounded up 17 pasta salad recipes from around the globe that’ll make your taste buds dance and your picnic guests beg for seconds.

From Italy’s sun-kissed classics to Japan’s umami-packed surprises, each recipe comes with a dash of humor, a pinch of culture, and a whole lot of deliciousness.

Let’s dive into this pasta party—grab your colander and let’s get tossing!

1. Classic Italian Caprese Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Fusilli
2. Cherry tomatoes
3. Fresh mozzarella
4. Basil
5. Balsamic glaze

Process:

Cook fusilli until al dente, then rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking (no mushy pasta here, folks).

Toss it with halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves.

Drizzle with balsamic glaze and a splash of olive oil—simple, yet it sings like an Italian opera.

Unique Tip: Add a few crushed croutons for a sneaky crunch that’ll make you feel like you’re cheating on carbs with carbs.

2. Greek Orzo Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Orzo
2. Cucumber
3. Red onion
4. Feta cheese
5. OlivesL
6. Lemon-oregano dressing

Process:

• Boil orzo until tender, then cool it down with a cold rinse.
• Chop cucumbers and red onion into bite-sized bits, and toss them in with pitted olives.
• Crumble feta over the top like it’s the Parthenon in a windstorm.
• Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano for a zesty dressing, then mix it all together.

Unique Tip: Throw in a handful of fresh dill—it’s the Greek secret weapon that’ll have you shouting “Opa!”

3. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Elbow macaroni
2. Grilled corn
3. Cotija cheese
4. Cilantro
5. Chili-lime dressing

Process:

Cook macaroni and let it cool.

Grill corn until it’s got those sexy char marks, then slice it off the cob.

Mix with the pasta, crumble in cotija cheese, and chop some cilantro for freshness.

Finish with a dressing of mayo, lime juice, and a kick of chili powder.

Unique Tip: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt if you’re feeling virtuous or want to impress your gym buddy.

4. Thai Peanut Noodle Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Rice noodles
2. Shredded carrots
3. Peanuts
4. Scallions
5. Peanut-soy dressing

Process:

• Cook rice noodles, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
• Shred carrots and chop scallions, then toss them with the noodles.
• Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and a touch of chili for a creamy, spicy dressing.
• Sprinkle crushed peanuts on top for that irresistible crunch.

Unique Tip: Add a drizzle of sriracha if you’re brave enough to flirt with the spice gods.

5. German Potato-Pasta Salad (Schwäbischer Style)

Key Ingredients:

1. Penne
2. Potatoes
3. Bacon
4. Mustard
5. Vinegar
6. Pickles

Process:

Boil penne and small potato cubes separately, then cool them.

Fry bacon until crispy, reserving some fat to mix with mustard, vinegar, and a splash of pickle juice for dressing.

Toss everything together with chopped pickles for tang.

Unique Tip: Serve it slightly warm—because cold bacon is a crime in Germany.

6. Japanese Soba Noodle Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Soba noodles
2. Edamame
3. Seaweed
4. Sesame seeds
5. Soy-ginger dressing

Process:

• Cook soba noodles, rinse them cold to keep that nutty bite.
• Toss in shelled edamame and shredded seaweed.
• Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and grated ginger for a dressing that’s subtle but sassy.
• Top with toasted sesame seeds.

Unique Tip: Add a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi for a seven-spice kick that’ll wake up your taste buds.

7. French Niçoise Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Farfalle
2. Tuna
3. Green beans
4. Cherry tomatoes
5. Olives
6. Dijon vinaigrette

Process:

Cook farfalle and blanch green beans, then cool both.

Flake in some quality canned tuna, add halved tomatoes and olives, and dress it with a mix of Dijon mustard, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.

Elegance in every bite.

Unique Tip: Sneak in a few anchovies—because France says “go big or go home.”

8. Indian Masala Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Rotini
2. Chickpeas
3. Bell peppers
4. Cilantro
5. Chaat masala dressing

Process:

• Cook rotini and cool it down.
• Toss in chickpeas, diced bell peppers, and a handful of chopped cilantro.
• Mix yogurt, chaat masala, and a pinch of cumin for a creamy, tangy dressing.
• Stir it all together and let the spices dance.

Unique Tip: Add a spoonful of mango chutney for a sweet-spicy twist that’s pure India.

9. American BLT Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Shells
2. Bacon
3. Lettuce
4. Tomatoes
5. Ranch dressing

Process:

Cook shells and cool them.

Fry bacon until crisp, chop it up, and mix with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes.

Stir in ranch dressing for that creamy, all-American finish.

Unique Tip: Toast some bread cubes for croutons—because a BLT without crunch is just sad.

10. Moroccan Couscous Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Couscous
2. Chickpeas
3. Raisins
4. Almonds
5. Harissa-lemon dressing

Process:

• Prepare couscous (it’s quick—bless you, Morocco), then fluff and cool.
• Add chickpeas, raisins, and chopped almonds for texture.
• Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, and a dab of harissa for a fiery dressing.
• Toss it all together and savor the spice.

Unique Tip: Throw in some fresh mint—it’s the oasis in this desert delight.

11. Brazilian Tropical Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Penne
2. Mango
3. Black beans
4. Avocado
5. Lime-cilantro dressing

Process:

Cook penne and cool it.

Dice mango and avocado, mix with black beans, and toss everything together.

Squeeze lime juice, add olive oil and chopped cilantro for a dressing that’s bright and zesty.

Unique Tip: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a barbecue vibe that’ll transport you to Carnival.

12. Korean Spicy Noodle Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Glass noodles
2. Cucumber
3. Carrots
4. Gochujang
5. Sesame oil

Process:

• Cook glass noodles, rinse cold, and cut into manageable lengths.
• Shred cucumber and carrots, then mix with the noodles.
• Blend gochujang, sesame oil, and a splash of rice vinegar for a fiery dressing.
• Toss and brace yourself for the kick.

Unique Tip: Top with kimchi for an extra layer of funky spice.

13. Spanish Pesto Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Fusilli, chorizo
2. Sun-dried tomatoes
3. Manchego
4. Almond-pesto dressing

Process:

Cook fusilli and cool it.

Slice chorizo and fry it lightly, then mix with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and shaved manchego.

Blend almonds, basil, and olive oil for a nutty pesto, and toss it all together.

Unique Tip: Add a splash of sherry vinegar for a Spanish tang that’ll make you shout “Olé!”

14. Turkish Bulgur Pasta Salad (Kısır-Inspired)

Key Ingredients:

1. Orzo
2. Bulgur
3. Parsley
4. Tomato paste
5. Pomegranate molasses

Process:

• Cook orzo and bulgur separately, then cool.
• Mix with chopped parsley and a dollop of tomato paste.
• Drizzle pomegranate molasses and olive oil for a sweet-tart dressing.
• Stir until it’s a vibrant, tangy masterpiece.

Unique Tip: Add sumac for a citrusy zing that’s pure Turkish magic.

15. Lebanese Tabbouleh Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Farfalle
2. Parsley
3. Mint
4. Tomatoes
5. Lemon-olive oil dressing

Process:

Cook farfalle and cool it.

Chop heaps of parsley and mint (seriously, don’t skimp), dice tomatoes, and mix everything together.

Dress with lemon juice and olive oil—light, bright, and beautiful.

Unique Tip: Toss in some crumbled feta if you’re feeling extra Mediterranean.

16. Chinese Sesame Noodle Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Spaghetti
2. Cabbage
3. Peanuts
4. Sesame paste
5. Soy dressing

Process:

• Cook spaghetti and rinse cold.
• Shred cabbage and toss it with the noodles and chopped peanuts.
• Mix sesame paste, soy sauce, and a touch of sugar for a nutty dressing.
• Combine and slurp away.

Unique Tip: Add a drop of chili oil if you’re craving that Sichuan buzz.

17. Australian BBQ Pasta Salad

Key Ingredients:

1. Macaroni
2. Grilled pineapple
3. Bacon
4. Red peppers
5. BBQ dressing

Process:

Cook macaroni and cool it.

Grill pineapple slices until caramelized, chop them up, and mix with crispy bacon and diced red peppers.

Stir in a mayo-BBQ sauce combo for a smoky-sweet finish.

Unique Tip: Throw in some crushed macadamia nuts—because Australia deserves a little fancy.

Let’s Toss It Up!

There you have it—17 pasta salads that’ll take you on a global flavor tour without leaving your kitchen.

Whether you’re vibing with the spicy kick of Korea or the sunny sweetness of Brazil, there’s a recipe here to make your summer (or any season) deliciously unforgettable.

Head over to PinnedRecipe.com, try these out, and let me know which one’s your fave—I’m dying to hear your tasty tales!

Happy cooking…