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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    13 Pasta Salad Recipes Perfect for When You’re Over Complicated Dinners

    Published: Jan 3, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Pasta salad recipes are perfect for when you want dinner to be simple but still feel like a complete meal. They’re quick to pull together, easy to customize, and just right for those evenings when the thought of anything too involved makes you groan. These recipes strike a balance between effort and payoff, so you can eat well without spending forever in the kitchen.

    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.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

    Summer Pasta Salad With Peaches

    A bowl of peach pasta salad with dressing in a pticher on the side.
    Summer Pasta Salad With Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    This refreshing salad is made with fresh peach slices, sweet corn, juicy grape tomatoes, pine nuts, and your favorite pasta.
    Get the Recipe: Summer Pasta Salad With Peaches

    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 picnics or cookouts.
    Get the Recipe: Bow Tie Pasta Salad With Basil Pesto

    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 a light bite.
    Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad With Pepperoncini Peppers

    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

    Cold Lemon Orzo Salad With Shrimp

    Shrimp salad in a bowl with a spoon.
    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

    Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts

    Parsley pesto pasta in a bowl with serving spoons.
    Parsley Pesto Pasta Salad With Walnuts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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

    Seafood Pasta Salad

    seafood pasta salad in a bowl.
    Seafood Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Seafood Pasta Salad is always such a hit at any cookout. It’s a perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, onion-y & sweet from the imitation crab.
    Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad

    Mediterranean Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    Fill your fork with Mediterranean Pasta Salad, an incredibly fresh pasta salad with crisp vegetables and a vinaigrette straight from the Mediterranean!
    Get the Recipe: Mediterranean 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

    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

    Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd

    A bowl of creamy macaroni salad with green peas, diced vegetables, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese—perfect for fans of delicious pasta salad recipes.
    Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd is a refreshing comfort food, which is great for dinners, picnics or to take to pot lucks.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd

    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

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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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