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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Don’t Heat Up the House—Make One of These 17 Cold Dishes Instead

    Published: May 30, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Long summer days make the idea of turning on the oven feel like a crime. Cold dishes are the real MVPs when it’s too hot to even think about cooking. From refreshing salads to no-cook wraps, these meals are all about keeping things chill without sacrificing flavor. Trust me, your kitchen (and your sweat glands) will thank you.

    Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

    A serving bowl of antipasto salad.
    Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This irresistible antipasto pasta salad is EASY to make with a simple homemade dressing, an Italian inspired pasta that’s great for summertime.
    Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

    Old Bay Shrimp Salad

    Shrimp salad on a croissant with dill on the side.
    Old Bay Shrimp Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

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    This easy tossed shrimp salad recipe is made with cooked shrimp, mayonnaise,lemon juice, fresh dill, and Old Bay seasoning. Serve cold.
    Get the Recipe: Old Bay Shrimp Salad

    Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

    A side dish of pesto pasta next to fresh parsley.
    Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This easy parsley pesto pasta salad with walnuts is a great summertime salad and incredibly simple to make for any occasion.
    Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

    Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar

    Zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes on a white platter with a wooden spoon
    Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Pull out the spiralizer and make a refreshing Zucchini Salad with Balsamic Vinegar with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles.
    Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar

    Marinated Shrimp Recipe

    A black bowl of shrimp next to a bowl of lemons.
    Marinated Shrimp Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This marinated cold shrimp is a no fuss recipe that sits overnight in an Old Bay and lemon sauce for perfect shrimp cocktails and you can also add them to salads, pasta, etc.
    Get the Recipe: Marinated Shrimp Recipe

    Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

    A pasta salad with peaches, corn and tomatoes in a serving bowl.
    Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This refreshing summer salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta. It’s one of my go-to cold pasta dishes to beat the heat.
    Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

    Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Ranch pasta salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon.
    Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With all the classic flavors of creamy ranch dressing, salty bacon, and cheddar cheese, this ranch pasta salad is a refreshing crowd pleaser, the perfect cold summer dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

    Classic Southern Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Classic Southern Macaroni Salad is a summertime comfort food, which is great if you’re craving Southern flavors this summer.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

    Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

    Delicious pesto pasta salad with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes in a glass bowl.
    Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Easy to make basil pesto pasta salad with bow tie pasta is a flavorful, colorful side that’s great for summer picnics or cookouts. It’s one of my favorite easy pasta salad recipes.
    Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

    Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

    A large bowl of shrimp orzo salad.
    Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This cold lemon orzo salad recipe effortlessly marries shrimp, citrus, garlic, and fragrant basil for a quick and easy summer dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

    Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad

    A close-up of macaroni salad topped with sliced jalapeños, crispy bacon pieces, and chopped green onions on a green plate. The salad appears creamy with a mix of pasta, vegetables, and dressing.
    Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

    Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad has all the flavor of a jalapeno popper: bacon, cream cheese, and jalapenos! Makes a spicy, creamy picnic side.
    Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Pasta Salad

    Asian Pasta Salad

    Close-up of chopsticks picking up saucy noodles mixed with red bell peppers, green herbs, and topped with white sesame seeds—perfect inspiration for your next pasta salad recipes.
    Asian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    Spruce up your party with an Asian Pasta Salad! Packed with an irresistible sweet and salty flavor and full of colorful, crunchy vegetables.
    Get the Recipe: Asian Pasta Salad

    Italian Pasta Salad

    Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Italian Pasta salad has it all! Tender pasta, salty pepperoni, cubed mozzarella, lots of diced veggies and a homemade garlic dressing.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

    Spelt Pasta Salad With Salmon

    Spelt Pasta Salad With Salmon. Photo credit: Savor the Best.

    This Salmon Salad with Spelt Pasta is filled with salmon, capers, dill, onions, chives, spelt pasta and tossed with a tangy lemon vinaigrette.
    Get the Recipe: Spelt Pasta Salad With Salmon

    Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad

    A bowl of creamy macaroni salad with kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green peas, and fresh cilantro garnish—just like one of grandma’s favorite spring dishes.
    Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Zesty Mexican macaroni salad with a creamy, tangy dressing, fresh vegetables, and a perfect kick of spice is a twist on a classic favorite of easy pasta salad recipes.
    Get the Recipe: Zesty Mexican Macaroni Salad

    Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

    Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. Fresh and done in 20 min!
    Get the Recipe: Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

    Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

    Creamy Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Josie and Nina.

    This four ingredient Creamy Italian Pasta Salad is one quick spring pasta salad recipe. An easy creamy Italian dressing is a fast Alfredo pasta.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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