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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Must-Try Pasta Salads for Your Next BBQ

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on June 29, 2025, updated May 27, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Pasta salads are a perfect addition to any BBQ, bringing a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy. With so many options to choose from, you can easily find a recipe that suits your crowd, whether you prefer something light and fresh or hearty and filling. Here are 20 pasta salad ideas that will make your next outdoor gathering even more delicious.

    Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing

    Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing.
    Photo Credit: Retro Recipe Box.

    Strawberry Pasta Salad with Balsamic Dressing is a refreshing dish that bursts with flavor. It's perfect for summer gatherings or potlucks. Pasta salads are simple to prepare and can include a variety of delicious ingredients. This salad combines the sweetness of strawberries with a tangy dressing, making it a delightful choice. Enjoy this light and tasty option on warm days.

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    Wholegrain Pasta Salad

    Wholegrain Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Emily Leary.

    This wholegrain pasta salad is easy to make and packed with fresh ingredients. It features wholegrain pasta, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and red onion, all tossed together with feta cheese. A light dressing of olive oil and lemon brings everything together perfectly. This dish is great for summer meals and can be served as a side or a main. It's a refreshing option that everyone will enjoy.

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    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish. With only 15 minutes of actual prep and cooking time, it’s a simple dish that’s full of vegetables and flavor. You can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, making it flexible for your needs. It’s just as tasty served cold as it is warm, making it a versatile option. This is a great choice for a summer meal.

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    Chicken Pasta Salad

    Chicken Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Mom Foodie.

    This Chicken Pasta Salad is a simple dish that captures the flavors of a classic chicken dinner. It comes together in just a few minutes, making it a great option for busy summer days. Served cold, it’s refreshing and satisfying, perfect for warm weather. Using canned chicken keeps things easy and quick. This is a great meal to enjoy when you want something light and delicious.

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    Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    Bow Tie Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a bright and tasty dish that’s perfect for summer. It’s loaded with fresh vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and olives. This salad is great as a side or a light lunch on warm days. The combination of roasted veggies adds a nice touch to the pasta. Enjoy this colorful meal that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.

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    Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    Mediterranean Orzo Salad.
    Photo Credit: Mommy Evolution.

    This salad is bright and full of flavor, featuring orzo pasta combined with fresh vegetables. The dressing is light and zesty, adding a nice kick to the dish. It's perfect for warm days when you want something refreshing. This is a great option for lunch or a side dish at dinner. Enjoy it as a simple meal that’s easy to prepare.

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    Chopped Italian Pasta Salad

    Chopped Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This pasta salad is ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, and barbecues. It's packed with fresh vegetables and beans, making it a colorful and nutritious option. Enjoy it as a side dish or a light meal on warm days. This dish is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time. It's a great way to enjoy seasonal produce and keep things simple.

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    Cowboy Pasta Salad

    Cowboy Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Cowboy Pasta Salad combines hearty beef, beans, and a sweet and tangy sauce that we all enjoy in cowboy beans. This dish mixes everything together with bowtie pasta, creating a unique and tasty salad. It's a fun twist on traditional pasta salads, bringing in bold flavors that stand out. Perfect for summer gatherings or a quick meal, this salad is sure to please. Enjoy a satisfying and filling dish that’s easy to prepare.

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    Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad With Roasted Vegetables

    Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad With Roasted Vegetables.
    Photo Credit: Parsley & Parm.

    This pasta salad features roasted summer vegetables combined with a fresh, lemony walnut pesto. It's a healthy and tasty option for lunch or as a side dish at dinner. You can also bring it along to your next potluck, and it will surely be a hit. The vibrant flavors and colorful ingredients make it a perfect choice for warm weather. Enjoy this refreshing dish that highlights the best of summer produce.

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    Persian Macaroni Salad

    Persian Macaroni Salad.
    Photo Credit: Unicorns in the Kitchen.

    This macaroni salad is a favorite in many Persian households. It features a mix of tasty vegetables, mortadella, and pickles, all tossed together in a creamy mayo dressing. It's a simple dish that brings together great flavors and textures. Perfect for summer gatherings or a quick meal, this salad is sure to please everyone. Enjoy it as a side or on its own for a light lunch.

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    Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    Creamy Italian Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Cinnamon Jar.

    This pasta salad is packed with flavor and is perfect for summer. It features salami, which is great for meat lovers, along with two types of cheese that add creaminess. Fresh herbs bring a burst of freshness to every bite. The dressing combines tangy and garlicky notes, balanced with a hint of sweetness from honey. This dish is a great choice for a light meal or a side at your next gathering.

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    Classic Pasta Salad

    Pasta Salad Recipe.
    Photo Credit: I Heart Eating.

    This pasta salad is a great choice for summer gatherings. It combines fresh vegetables, cheese, and pepperoni with a tasty homemade Italian dressing. The result is a colorful and satisfying dish that everyone will enjoy. It's simple to prepare and works well as a side for any meal. This is a perfect addition to your summer menu.

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    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    Smoked Italian pasta salad is a delicious twist on the classic pasta salad. It combines all the best elements of a pasta salad with a rich, smoky flavor that really stands out. This dish is perfect for summer gatherings or a quick meal at home. It’s filling and satisfying, making it a great choice for lunch or dinner. Enjoy this refreshing salad that brings a unique taste to your table.

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    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Everyday Eileen.

    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a simple and tasty dish that works well for any gathering. It brings together the familiar flavors of Caesar dressing and chicken, mixed with pasta for a satisfying meal. This salad is ideal for warm days when you want something light yet filling. It's easy to prepare and can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side. Perfect for summer, this salad is sure to please everyone.

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    Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

    Deviled Egg Pasta Salad.
    Photo credit: Courtney's Sweets.

    This pasta salad is perfect for gatherings and is a great way to use up leftover deviled eggs. It's light and refreshing, making it a great choice for warm days. The combination of flavors and textures will please everyone at the table. This dish is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time. Enjoy it as a side or a main dish during the summer.

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    Green Pasta Salad With Edible Flowers

    Green Pasta Salad With Edible Flowers.
    Photo Credit: The Pasta Project.

    This green pasta salad is healthy, fresh, and delicious, with the added bonus of edible flowers that make it visually appealing. It's a great option for a light lunch or as a side dish. This salad is perfect for springtime gatherings and special occasions. Enjoy it on Mother's Day or whenever you want something bright and tasty. It's a simple dish that brings a touch of elegance to any meal.

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    Cowboy Pasta Salad

    Cowboy Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    Cowboy Pasta Salad combines hearty beef, beans, and a sweet and tangy sauce that we all enjoy in cowboy beans. This dish mixes everything together with bowtie pasta, creating a unique and tasty salad. It's a fun twist on traditional pasta salads, bringing in bold flavors that stand out. Perfect for summer gatherings or a quick meal, this salad is sure to please. Enjoy a satisfying and filling dish that’s easy to prepare.

    Get the Recipe

    Summer Orzo Pasta Salad

    Summer Orzo Pasta Salad.
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy,

    Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is a bright and lively dish that shines during warm weather. It combines soft orzo pasta with fresh veggies and a tangy lemon dressing. This salad is ideal for picnics, barbecues, and any outdoor get-together. It's easy to prepare and brings a burst of flavor to your meal. Enjoy this delightful salad as a side or a light main dish.

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    Salmon Asparagus Pasta Salad

    SALMON ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD.
    Photo credit: Maple + Mango.

    This dish features fresh asparagus, salmon (either canned or fresh), hard-boiled eggs, and pasta, all mixed together in a creamy lemon dill dressing. It's a simple and tasty option that’s perfect for warm weather. This is a great choice for lunch or dinner, especially when you want something light and refreshing. The combination of flavors is satisfying and enjoyable. It’s sure to be a hit during the spring and summer months.

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    Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    Mediterranean Orzo Salad.
    Photo Credit: The Short Order Cook.

    This Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a fresh and simple dish that’s perfect for summer. Packed with healthy vegetables and dressed with a zesty lemon vinaigrette, it’s both delicious and easy to prepare. In just 30 minutes, you can have a satisfying salad that works well as a side or a main dish. It’s vegan and vegetarian friendly, but you can also add feta and salami if you want something heartier. This salad is a great option for lunch, dinner, picnics, or potlucks.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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