When you think of summer food, pasta salad is definitely on the list.
But let’s be honest, it can sometimes be a little… boring.
Or it’s loaded with a heavy dressing that just doesn’t feel right on a hot day.
It absolutely does NOT have to be that way.
Summer pasta salad can be bright, fresh, and packed with so much flavor. Think juicy veggies, tasty herbs, and light, zesty dressings.
It’s the PERFECT side dish for a backyard barbecue or an easy main meal for a busy weeknight.
I put together a list of the BEST healthy summer pasta salad recipes to get you inspired. There’s something here for everyone, whether you love classic flavors or want to try something totally new.
1. Cold Ramen Salad with Soy Ginger Dressing (vegan)
This Cold Ramen Salad with Soy Ginger Dressing is a wonderfully refreshing dish. This delightful vegan noodle salad features bright, savory flavors, making it perfect for any light meal.
2. Easy Caprese Orzo Salad
This Easy Caprese Orzo Salad elevates simple orzo pasta with classic caprese flavors.
It’s a delicious combination of mozzarella pearls, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil, perfect as a side dish all year long.
3. Thai Beef Noodle Salad
This Thai Beef Noodle Salad recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy a vibrant meal.
It features seared steak, noodles, and crunchy vegetables, all tossed in a zingy lime-soy dressing.
Get ready for a delicious Thai beef noodle salad that’s packed with fresh flavors.
4. High Protein Pasta Salad
Enjoy a delicious High Protein Pasta Salad that helps you meet your nutrition goals.
This filling chickpea pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies and perfect for meal prep or your next summer BBQ.
It’s a yummy and satisfying vegetable pasta salad that will keep you feeling great for hours.
5. Caprese Pasta Salad
This Caprese Pasta Salad brings together fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, pine nuts, and aromatic basil in a light, delicious dressing. It’s a wonderfully colorful Caprese salad that makes an ideal side dish for any meal. Enjoy this refreshing twist on a classic pasta salad.
6. Cold Sesame Noodles Chicken Salad
This Cold Sesame Noodles Chicken Salad offers a delicious and refreshing meal, perfect for warm weather.
It’s ideal to pack for a lunch box or enjoy as a delightful picnic treat.
These cold sesame noodles are a convenient and flavorful choice.
7. Vegan Pasta Primavera
Savor the delightful Vegan Pasta Primavera, an easy pasta with vegetables bursting with lemon and garlic flavors.
This light, fresh, and flavorful primavera recipe is ready in just 30 minutes.
8. Asian Noodle Salad Recipe (Easy Meal Prep!)
This Asian Noodle Salad Recipe is perfect for a nutrient-rich lunch or tasty side dish.
Enjoy this delicious cold noodle salad that stays fresh for up to five days, making meal prep simple and convenient.
9. Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad
Creamy Balsamic Summer Pasta Salad is a delightful cold pasta salad recipe, perfect for any warm-weather gathering.
This delicious vegetarian option makes a wonderful light lunch or a fantastic addition to your next summer potluck.
10. Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta Fregola
Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta Fregola offers a quick and easy one-pot solution for any day.
This delightful fregola pasta dish is ideal as a light meal or a refreshing summer side.
You’ll love the vibrant flavors of fresh basil and juicy tomatoes in this simple tomato fregola recipe.
11. Vegan Lemon Tahini Pasta with Peas and Zucchini
Vegan Lemon Tahini Pasta with Peas and Zucchini is a delicious and healthy meal that’s perfect for any night. This dish features bright lemon and creamy tahini sauce tossed with tender pasta, peas, and zucchini. It’s a wonderfully satisfying plant-based option for your dinner table.
12. Mexican Pasta Salad
This Mexican Pasta Salad is a vibrant hit, loaded with delicious flavors perfect for any summer meal.
Its creamy Southwestern dressing gives a zesty kick, while still feeling light and easily made as a gluten free pasta salad.
13. Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo with Feta
This Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo with Feta makes for a truly delicious and healthy dinner. It’s an inviting dish that comes together easily, perfect for any weeknight.
14. Southwest Black Bean Pasta Salad
Get ready for your new favorite backyard BBQ dish: Southwest Black Bean Pasta Salad.
This delicious black bean pasta salad is a flavorful, easy-to-make vegan option that’s perfect for feeding a crowd and even tastes better as leftovers.
15. Mediterranean Pasta w/ Roasted Red Peppers and Artichokes
Get ready to enjoy a fantastic Mediterranean Pasta w/ Roasted Red Peppers and Artichokes. This flavorful mediterranean pasta with artichokes comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. You’ll love this easy pasta dish that’s big on taste and light on guilt.
16. Lemon Artichoke Pasta Salad
Lemon Artichoke Pasta Salad is a fantastic, tangy dish that’s quick to prepare. This flavorful vegan pasta salad is perfect for picnics or when you need make-ahead salads for a crowd. Enjoy it all week long or bring it to your next gathering!
17. Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese Pasta Salad brings together a wonderfully bright and fresh taste.
This easy summertime salad features fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes mixed with pasta for a simply delicious and refreshing dish.
18. Goat Cheese Orzo Salad
Goat Cheese Orzo Salad is a wonderful quick side dish that combines creamy goat cheese with tender roasted asparagus spears.
This easy orzo salad, made with quick-cooking pasta, is a fresh addition to any meal.
19. Pearl Couscous Salad
Pearl Couscous Salad is a delightful and fresh dish.
This vibrant pearl couscous salad perfectly combines chewy couscous with crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a bright lemony dressing.
20. Asian Noodle Salad
This easy Asian Noodle Salad combines ramen noodles and colorful veggies. It’s all tossed in a delightful sesame hoisin dressing. This refreshing noodle salad makes the perfect side dish for any summer celebration.
21. Mediterranean Pesto Pasta
Mediterranean Pesto Pasta is a flavorful dish packed with fresh vegetables, tender chicken, and grated Parmesan. It’s wonderfully simple to prepare, making it a perfect and budget-friendly meal for any night.
22. Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Goat Cheese Pasta Salad is a creamy and delicious dish packed with fresh vegetables.
This fancy pasta salad is perfect for any gathering, from a backyard BBQ to a holiday potluck.
It’s a crowd-pleasing option that will quickly become everyone’s favorite.
23. Kid Friendly Pasta Salad
This Kid Friendly Pasta Salad is a vibrant and healthy dish. It’s packed with delicious pasta and fresh veggies, creating a filling meal your child will truly enjoy. This colorful pasta salad is a delightful way to get kids to eat their greens.
24. Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad is a fresh and delicious meal.
It features tender white chicken, crisp fresh veggies, and black olives, all coated in a vibrant, flavourful pesto sauce.
This simple yet satisfying dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
25. Mexican Elote Pasta Salad Recipe
Discover our Mexican Elote Pasta Salad, a vibrant high-protein pasta salad inspired by Mexican street corn. This impressive dish offers a delicious way to enjoy your vegetables. It’s an easy elote pasta salad that’s perfect for any gathering or simple meal prep.
26. Roasted Pepper Orzo Salad
Roasted Pepper Orzo Salad is a vibrant dish bursting with flavor, featuring delicious chargrilled peppers and juicy cherry tomatoes. Fresh herbs and delicate mozzarella pearls are perfectly tossed with orzo pasta. A bright, zingy lemon dressing brings this delightful orzo salad together for a refreshing meal.
27. Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Mint Yogurt Dressing is a wonderfully refreshing dish, perfect for any meal. This delightful orzo salad offers a burst of fresh flavors, beautifully enhanced by its creamy yogurt dressing. It’s a delicious and easy way to enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean.
28. Thai chicken noodle salad {with chilli-peanut dressing}
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of this Thai chicken noodle salad, featuring soft noodles and crisp vegetables.
The rich chilli-peanut dressing perfectly complements the dish, making it an ideal way to transform leftover chicken.
29. Peanut Noodle Salad
Discover the delicious Peanut Noodle Salad, an incredibly easy and flavorful dish.
This cold sesame peanut noodle salad is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
It’s a delightful Asian-inspired recipe that’s sure to be a new favorite.
30. Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna Pasta Salad is a classic and incredibly easy side dish.
Enjoy this refreshing cold pasta tuna salad, where flaky tuna and fresh veggies meet a creamy dressing for a perfect bite.