Welcome to Pasta Salad Summer, Where Cold Carbs Are Always on the Menu

Move over, hot girl summer. TikTokers have declared this year "pasta salad summer," and we're ready to lean in. After all, pasta salad could be called the perfect summer dish; it's infinitely customizable, filling, easy to make ahead of a party or event, and cold enough to enjoy on a scorching-hot afternoon. It presents an opportunity to load up on nutritious seasonal veggies, try a flavorful new dressing, and cook up whatever noodle shape sparks joy for you.

This summer, join TikTok in celebrating pasta salad summer and complement your pool day, meal-prep menu, or barbecue spread with a tasty pasta salad. Scroll the #pastasaladsummer hashtag on the app for inspiration, or keep reading to check out some of the best summer pasta salad recipes from TikTokers, bloggers, and POPSUGAR editors. Whether you want a cold side salad to pair with the main dish or you're looking to make enough food to feed a crowd, any of these summer pasta salad recipes will be just the thing. Keep reading for plenty of pasta salad recipes that boast all the best flavors of summer.

— Additional reporting by Lauren Mazzo

01
Corn Pasta Salad With Tomato and Avocado
Laylita's Recipes

Corn Pasta Salad With Tomato and Avocado

This summery corn pasta salad with tomato and avocado salad will be your new favorite creation. It's the perfect barbecue dish since it's light and fresh, and it pairs exceptionally well with a burger or grilled chicken. Just grab a fork!

02

Crispy Prosciutto Pasta Salad

Enjoy this dreamy-looking crispy prosciutto pasta salad with fried capers and dollops of burrata from TikToker @babytamago (who has appropriately taken to calling herself the "pasta salad queen") — and the funny story she tells while she's making it. It might require a few extra steps, but it absolutely looks worth the effort.

03
Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad
Food Faith Fitness

Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad

If you want a meal that'll fill you up, try this Mediterranean chickpea pasta salad. Made complete with rich feta, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty olives, and a tangy lemon dressing, serve this pasta salad cold for best results.

04
Loaded Italian Pasta Salad
The Mediterranean Dish

Loaded Italian Pasta Salad

Made with a homemade sauce that ties all the flavors together, this loaded Italian pasta salad will be your new favorite go-to for summer events. Marinate it in the sauce long enough so each bite is packed with flavor. Top it off with your favorite veggies and some pepperoni, and you'll be good to go.

05
Mexican Quinoa Salad With Farro and Barley
Isabel Eats

Mexican Quinoa Salad With Farro and Barley

OK, quinoa technically isn't pasta, but that doesn't mean this Mexican quinoa salad with farro and barley doesn't belong on this list. Thanks to the whole grains, you'll stay full long after you finish off the last bite. Topped off with a citrusy lime juice, crisp cilantro, and salty Cotija cheese, we suggest making an extra batch of this just in case.

06
Asian Pasta Salad
Spicy Southern Kitchen

Asian Pasta Salad

Refreshing and flavorful, this Asian pasta salad has a sesame and soy dressing that make it distinct from any other pasta salad at the barbecue. If you want to take this recipe to the next level, pair it with freshly grilled chicken breast or roasted tofu.

07
Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Half Baked Harvest

Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad

Goat cheese and basil vinaigrette, what could be better? This delicious green pasta salad is made with roasted beets, zucchini, watercress, summer squash, and corn, and the flavors are as fresh as summer itself. Try this basil goat cheese pasta salad when you want a pasta salad recipe that's packed with veggies.

08
Cobb Pasta Salad With Red Wine Vinaigrette
Cooking For Keeps

Cobb Pasta Salad With Red Wine Vinaigrette

Light, refreshing, and full of flavor, this cobb pasta salad with red wine vinaigrette is as good as it gets. It's made complete with hardboiled eggs, creamy avocados, ripe cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, chives, crispy bacon, and blue cheese, then topped off with a super light red wine vinaigrette.

09

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

TikToker @trainwithshay's chicken caesar pasta salad may be macro-friendly, but it looks delicious even if you don't care how much protein it has. This is the perfect pasta salad recipe if you have some leftover chicken to use up or you want something that's between a green salad and a pasta salad.

10
Greek Pasta With Tomatoes, Wine, and Feta
Cooking For Keeps

Greek Pasta With Tomatoes, Wine, and Feta

Whisk your taste buds away to the islands of Greece when you make this divine dish. For this Greek pasta with tomatoes, wine, and feta you'll need ripe tomatoes, garlic, dry rosé or white wine, green peppers, red onions, pasta, and feta cheese. Add a dash of olive oil to finish it off.

11
Sweet and Sour Pasta Salad
Veg Recipes of India

Sweet and Sour Pasta Salad

Get the best of both worlds when you whip up this sweet and sour pasta salad. It has a creamy homemade sauce made with mayo, red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard with just the right amount of tang, plus fresh, crunchy veggies.

12

Elote Pasta Salad

This elote pasta salad from TikToker @foodsofjane turns this popular Mexican street food into a full-on meal. Add corn (grilled, if possible), jalapeño, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime aioli sauce for all the required flavors.

13
Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad
The Mediterranean Dish

Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad

Bursting with sweet strawberry flavors, this Mediterranean strawberry orzo pasta salad tastes like a sunny summer day. We suggest adding bits of mint and goat cheese if you really want to elevate this dish.

14
Tomato, Scallion, and Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta Salad
Alexandra's Kitchen

Tomato, Scallion, and Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta Salad

This tomato, scallion, and roasted bell pepper pasta salad is good warm or cold. The best part about this summer pasta salad is that you can adjust the recipe based on your preferences (i.e. feta instead of mozzarella), so you can put a new spin on it every time you make it or depending on what you have in the kitchen.

15

Creamy Pickle Pasta Salad

If you've never considered putting pickles into pasta salad, let this creamy pasta salad recipe from TikToker @plantbasedschool convince you it's worth a try. Pickles go in alongside tons of other nutritious veggies, including red bell pepper, olives, corn, celery, and more — plus a bunch of mayo. This TikToker uses vegan mayo, but if you're not plant-based, feel free to use the traditional kind.

16
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
The Cookie Rookie

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Healthy and easy to make, this green goddess pasta salad recipe is hard not to love. Filled with asparagus, peas, chickpeas, pine nuts, and a green goddess dressing that's made with rich pesto, this recipe will make getting your greens especially delicious.

17

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

Chopped Italian sandwiches are having a moment, and this Italian grinder pasta salad recipe from TikToker @thatcheeseplate takes those flavors into pasta salad summer. It mixes provolone, hard salami, pepperoni, and veggies with an herby mayo vinaigrette for a meaty pasta salad that Italian-sandwich-lovers will drool over.

18
Grilled Veggie Tuscan Pasta Salad
Half Baked Harvest

Grilled Veggie Tuscan Pasta Salad

If you want to impress your guests, cook up this delicious grilled kale and bell pepper pasta salad with mozzarella and blue cheese. It has a handful of nutritious ingredients like red bell peppers, leafy kale, Kalamata olives, pine nuts, and fresh basil, meaning it's big enough to enjoy for days and rich enough for a full-on dinner.

19
Japanese Macaroni Salad
Just One Cookbook

Japanese Macaroni Salad

This Japanese macaroni salad is coated in a creamy, zesty, and sweet dressing made with rice vinegar and mayo. Eggs, cucumbers, and ham work together to make this recipe taste unlike any other macaroni salad you've had.

20
Simple Summer Pasta Salad
A Classic Twist

Simple Summer Pasta Salad

This classic pasta salad is colorful, fresh, and full of seasonal flavors. Complete with sharp cheddar cheese, cucumbers, and an Italian salad dressing, this summer pasta salad is the ideal picnic pairing.

21

Lemon Basil Pasta Salad

TikToker @lexnicoleta's easy lemon basil pasta salad makes a light and fresh lemony pasta even more summer appropriate by serving it cold and garnishing with fresh basil leaves. TBH, this makes us want to try the viral dirty-martini pasta recipe cold, too.

22
Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
The Cookie Rookie

Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad

This strawberry avocado pasta salad is an inventive take on the traditional pasta salad that's usually served at summer barbecues. A balance of avocado, feta, strawberries, and poppyseed dressing creates a seasonal dish that'll have you coming back for seconds.

23
Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad
Sweet Peas and Saffron

Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad

This avocado pesto pasta salad adds avocado to a classic pesto recipe with basil, garlic, and parmesan cheese to make it even more rich and nutritious. Pair it with your favorite in-season summer veggies to make it complete.

24
Creamy Summer Pasta With Eggplant and Tomatoes
The Hungry Bites

Creamy Summer Pasta With Eggplant and Tomatoes

This rich creamy summer pasta with eggplant and tomatoes captures the best Mediterranean flavors. With creamy eggplant and fresh basil, you can serve this hot or cold depending on your preference.