When the weather gets above 60 degrees around here, I start getting in the mood for all things grilling, smoking, and barbecue! It isn’t a barbecue without all of the sides, and if those sides don’t include at LEAST one pasta salad, we’re going to be in a fight. These incredible pasta salad recipes make many appearances on our tables, decks, and potlucks.
Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Italian tortellini pasta salad is a colorful and flavorful dish, perfect for picnics or as a side. It combines cheese-filled tortellini with a variety of fresh vegetables and a zesty Italian dressing. This salad is ideal for those who enjoy a combination of pasta and fresh, crisp ingredients in a light, yet satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
Smoked Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
A delightful blend of smoked chicken and Greek flavors, this pasta salad is both refreshing and filling. It’s an excellent choice for a summer meal or a potluck, offering a robust flavor profile.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
Smoked Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta Salad
A unique pasta salad featuring smoked chicken and bold gorgonzola cheese, creating a dish that’s both hearty and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta Salad
Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
A refreshing and hearty pasta salad combining ham and peas, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a fulfilling side dish.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad
A fresh and light pasta salad featuring the classic flavors of a Caprese salad, ideal for summer picnics or as a refreshing side dish.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad
A creative blend of a classic BLT sandwich and pasta salad, bringing together bacon, lettuce, and tomato in a satisfying and easy-to-make dish.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad
Grilled Caesar Pasta Salad
This hearty delicious grilled caesar pasta salad is made with homemade Caesar dressing and is going to be such a huge hit at your net gathering!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Caesar Pasta Salad
Easy Salmon Orzo Pasta Salad
A refreshing and easy-to-make pasta salad featuring salmon and orzo. It’s a great choice for a light lunch or dinner, particularly appealing for seafood lovers.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Orzo Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad
This recipe brings the flavors of Greece into a pasta salad, perfect as a side dish for BBQs or potlucks. It’s a refreshing and flavorful option for any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Tuna Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a refreshing mix that combines tuna with dill for a unique flavor. It’s an ideal choice for a light and easy meal, especially during warmer months.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad
Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
The creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings. Its creamy texture and blend of simple ingredients make it a beloved staple at any table.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad Recipe
Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad
A fresh and flavorful pasta salad featuring the classic caprese ingredients of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, with a balsamic dressing. It’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Caprese Pasta Salad
Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad
A flavorful and hearty pasta salad, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a satisfying meal. This salad includes tortellini and a variety of antipasto elements, offering a delicious and colorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad
Poppy Seed, Grape & Chicken Pasta Salad
A refreshing and unique pasta salad, this dish blends chicken with grapes and a poppy seed dressing. It’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side at picnics and gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Poppy Seed, Grape & Chicken Pasta Salad
Fresh Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad
A fresh and flavorful pasta salad featuring tomatoes and pesto. It’s a great side dish for picnics or as a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Tomato Pesto Pasta Salad
Light Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad
A flavorful pasta salad combining the tastes of Parmesan and ranch dressing. It’s a great side dish for picnics or as a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Light Parmesan Ranch Pasta Salad
BBQ Chicken & Feta Pasta Salad
A flavorful and filling pasta salad featuring BBQ chicken, feta and veggies perfect for picnics or as a summer meal.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken & Feta Pasta Salad
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
A spicy and flavorful pasta salad that combines the kick of buffalo chicken. It’s a great choice for a summer cookout or a spicy twist on pasta salad.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Orange Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad
A flavorful and zesty pasta salad with chicken, infused with orange and ginger. It’s a great option for a light lunch or as a side dish.
Get the Recipe: Orange Ginger Chicken Pasta Salad
Creamy Turkey Cobb Pasta Salad
A pasta salad twist on the classic Cobb salad, featuring turkey and a creamy dressing. It’s a great option for a filling and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Turkey Cobb Pasta Salad
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.