When the temperatures rise, and you just don’t feel like hot foods, these Cold Pasta Recipes are here to help!
Perfect for cookouts, lunches, or easy make ahead dinners, all of these cold pastas are sure to please.
Whether you’re looking for traditional Italian, or maybe some fun fusion flavors, there’s something just right for any craving.
Go through all of these great cold pasta recipes, and let us know your favorites!
Cold Pasta Recipes:
1. Rainbow Pasta Salad
We’re starting this list of cold pasta recipes with something which is basic, simple, easy, quick and yet so satisfying and delicious. Make this colorful pasta for your everyday easy lunches, as a side to some Italian meal or a quick fix for all the potluck parties or get togethers.
You can’t get easier than this cold Rainbow Pasta Salad. We love the final touch of feta in there…
2. Tortellini Pasta Salad with Prosciutto
This gorgeous Tortellini Pasta Salad is one dish that looks as great as it tastes. It’s so quick and easy, yet such a crowd pleaser.
Whether you’re hosting a pot luck or staying at home with family, everyone will love this one!
3. Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad
Antipasto Pasta Salad… If you’re searching for a delicious pasta salad, look no further. This is the perfect quick fix salad that’s mayo-free, almost no-cook, comes together in minutes, and is great for warm weather picnics and BBQ’s.
4. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Macaroni Salad is another one of the staple cold pasta recipes.
This version is extra creamy and extra tangy. Make a big batch, and enjoy the leftovers for days!
5. Fall Pasta Salad
Who says pasta salad is just a summertime potluck thing? Our Fall Pasta Salad is brimming with all the best flavors of autumn.
Roasted veggies, crisp apples, sweet dried cranberries, and so much more. This is one of those salads where every bite brings a new combination of flavors.
6. Israeli Couscous Salad
Vibrant, bright and light fresh flavors! A melody of textures! This cold Israeli Couscous Salad has it all!
Colorful veggies and Levantine flavors like Kalamata olives, feta, and pine nuts along with nutty chewy pearled couscous and tossed with a fresh lemon Dijon vinaigrette. It’s a salad chameleon at its best!!
7. Pesto Pasta Salad
This Pesto Pasta Salad recipe is summer in a bowl! It’s bursting with pillowy cheese tortellini (or you can use any of your favorite pasta), sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, crunchy bell peppers, charred, caramelized sweet corn, red onions, bright, meaty salami and buttery pearls of fresh mozzarella.
All is doused in a bright herby, garlicky pesto vinaigrette. How good is all that?
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
8. Tuna Pasta Salad
Learn how to make a quick summer tuna pasta salad that comes together in a flash! Loaded with tons of tender, peppery arugula, flaky tuna, and zesty pepperoncini.
Dress it with delicious lemon ranch dressing. This is sure to become a go-to summer lunch recipe!
Get the Recipe @ littlespicejar
9. Mediterranean Orzo Sala
This Mediterranean Orzo Salad is an easy and refreshing orzo pasta salad with great Mediterranean ingredients like kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese.
Great for lunch, or as a cold potluck side dish.
10. Italian Spaghetti Salad
This fancy yet easy Italian Spaghetti Salad is the perfect summer dish.
The flavorful salad is loaded with spaghetti, fresh veggies, salami, and sharp Italian dressing, making the most refreshing and delicious salad ever. A great dish to take for potlucks or tailgating.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
11. Mexican Pasta Salad
If Mexican Pasta Salad exists, it looks like this. This Pasta Salad with corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro and jalapeño is a delicious side dish salad to make for summer cookouts.
The creamy Greek yogurt dressing with spices and lime add so much unique flavor!
Get the Recipe @ healthyseasonalrecipes
12. Chicken Macaroni Salad
Chicken macaroni salad is a super easy and budget friendly dish, thanks to using canned chicken.
Bring this to your next potluck and watch it disappear fast!
Get the Recipe @ spicysouthernkitchen
13. Bacon and Avocado Macaroni Salad
Bacon and avocado is such a winning combination, right?
That’s why this bacon avocado macaroni salad is going to be the biggest hit on your next potluck spread. This is is so good, some guests might skip the mains!
Get the Recipe @ damndelicious
14. Tortellini Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is always a go-to tasty and easy pasta dish. And this Tortellini Pasta Salad has the added bonus of being healthy!
This vegetarian recipe is made with artichokes, tomatoes, arugula, and lots of savory seasonings. Yum!
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
15. Amish Macaroni Salad
Amish macaroni salad is a popular variation in Pennsylvania.
It uses Miracle Whip in place of mayo, as well as a good bit of sweet pickle relish, giving it a distinctively sweet taste compared to other recipes.
Get the Recipe @ thesuburbansoapbox
16. BLT Pasta Salad
Craving a BLT? You have to try this BLT Pasta Salad with tempeh bacon.
It’s filled with nutritious and delicious veggies, fruits, and seasonings. This is a great option for potlucks and get-togethers!
Get the Recipe @ loveandlemons
17. BBQ Cold Pasta Salad
This BBQ Pasta Salad is perfect for a potluck, get together, or easy lunch.
It has 24g of protein, as well as healthy veggies such as celery, corn, and red bell peppers. Just don’t forget the pork!
Get the Recipe @ chelseasmessyapron
18. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad will be the star of the spread at your next get together. This gorgeous dish whips up in only 25 minutes and is great served hot or cold.
19. Tuna Niçoise Pasta Salad
This classic fancy French salad gets a little bit more hearty by adding whole wheat pasta in addition to the usual ingredients.
This cold pasta is great for entertaining and get togethers.
Get the Recipe @ dishingouthealth
20. Puerto Rican Shrimp Macaroni Salad
Here’s another great recipe that adds in protein for a complete meal…
This Puerto Rican version has shrimp, along with hard boiled eggs and plenty of veggies for a nutritious complete meal.
21. Italian Macaroni Salad
This super delicious recipe features salami and provolone cheese, along with a generous dousing of Italian salad dressing.
It’s a wonderful alternative to the usual heavy creamy salads.
Get the Recipe @ bakerbynature
22. BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad
This BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe is a super tasty cold pasta salad that will bring rave reviews when you present it at a potluck or party.
Turn everyone’s favorite sandwich into a pasta salad and get ready for rave reviews!
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
23. Cold Salmon Asparagus Orzo Salad
This lemony salmon asparagus pasta salad recipe is full of the best fresh springtime flavors, is quick and easy to make, and can be served warm or as a cold pasta salad. Flaky smoked salmon tossed with some chopped asparagus, herbs, pine nuts, parmesan and a quick lemony dressing. This simple orzo salad is such a winner!
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
24. Greek Tortellini Salad
A cold pasta salad is always a hit during the summer, especially when it’s a cook out or potluck.
This Greek Tortellini Salad makes an amazingly delicious meal. It’s quick, easy and fresh with a zesty dressing. YUM!
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
25. Po’boy Shrimp Pasta Salad
Your favorite Po’ Boy sandwich turned into this amazing pasta salad with creamy remoulade dressing. How brilliant is that?
Its quick and easy to prepare and is guaranteed to be the hit of every potluck, barbecue and cookout (and 4th of July)! It simply doesn’t get more addicting than this creamy, hearty, spicy, juicy shrimp pasta salad! A great recipe if you’re looking to try something new.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
So there you go, twenty five great cold pasta recipes. The only question now is, which to try first?
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Potluck Ideas
Easy Lunch Ideas
Pasta Recipes
Pasta Salad Recipes
Rigatoni Recipes
Spaghetti Recipes
Penne Recipes
Tortellini Recipes
Orzo Recipes
Pasta Sauce Recipes
25 BEST Cold Pasta Recipes
This collection great Cold Pasta Recipes will make you the star of your next get together and give you plenty of great lunch ideas! We love this easy pasta salad:
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 1 lb pasta such as rotini, penne or farfalle
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, chopped
- 1 cup garbanzo beans
- 8 oz crumbled feta cheese
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp pepper or to taste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
- 2 Tbsp oregano fresh, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried oregano)
- 2 Tbsp basil fresh, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried basil)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Add salt to your water, at least 2 tbsp of salt. After draining your pasta add a little olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
- In a small bowl or jar add all the dressing ingredients together and whisk well. If using a jar, put the lid on and close it, then shake well.
- Toss all salad ingredients together, mix in dressing. Chill before serving.
Notes
- Let me know which recipes you try, I love hearing from you!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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