What to Pack for Lunch All Summer: 21 Of the Easiest Cold Pasta Dishes

Figuring out what to pack for lunch all summer doesn’t have to be a daily puzzle—just rotate a few of these no-fuss favorites and call it a win. From bright, zesty vinaigrettes to creamy, comforting combos, these meals are easy to make ahead and perfect for tossing in a lunchbox. Trust, your midday meals are about to level up.

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

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.

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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

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 summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Bacon Cheddar Ranch Pasta Salad

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

Classic Southern Macaroni Salad

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

Summer Pasta Salad With Fresh Peaches

A bowl of peach pasta salad with dressing in a pticher on the side. — 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

Italian Pasta Salad

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

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

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

Lemon Orzo Salad

A platter of orzo salad with asparagus, diced tomatoes, shaved parmesan, fresh basil, and lemon slices, served with a wooden spoon on a silver tray. — Lemon Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

A delicious lemon orzo salad recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or as an orzo pasta side dish for your next BBQ.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Orzo Salad

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with ham, tomatoes, and olives — Easy Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Semi Homemade Kitchen.

Our easy Italian Pasta Salad features a quick blend of rotini, salami, veggies, and mozzarella. The perfect side dish for gatherings and summer potluck food.
Get the Recipe: Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad

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

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

A close-up of a bowl filled with tortellini pasta salad, featuring cheese tortellini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, salami slices, black olives, red onion, and fresh herbs. A spoon is partially visible on the right side. — Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

Looking for your next picnic or potluck dish? This Italian tortellini pasta salad is hearty enough to serve on its own or as a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

A plate of creamy pasta salad with bowtie noodles, cherry tomatoes, peas, and cubes of ham, served on a blue-green plate with a light blue cloth underneath. — Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

This creamy and cheesy ham pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer supper, with tender smoked ham, fresh veggies, and ranch dressing.
Get the Recipe: Ham Pasta Salad With Ranch Dressing

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

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

Mexican Corn Pasta Salad With Tomatoes

A bowl of creamy pasta salad with penne, corn, diced tomatoes, green herbs, and a creamy dressing, garnished with parsley. A fork rests in the bowl on a light-colored surface. — Mexican Corn Pasta Salad With Tomatoes. Photo credit: Talking Meals.

This Creamy Mexican Corn Pasta Salad is a comforting, creamy and smoky recipe that’s bursting with flavor and texture! Make ahead and enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Pasta Salad With Tomatoes

Cold Rice Noodle Salad With Chicken

Refreshing and flavorful, an Asian cold noodle salad tossed with veggies, cold noodles, and lime dressing—perfect for lunch or summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Cold Rice Noodle Salad With Chicken

Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

This Easy Caprese Orzo Salad recipe is the perfect summer lunch. Click here for all of the details and the simple recipe!
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Orzo Salad

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