It is FINALLY starting to warm up here in NJ and I am so excited to get back to grilling season. Equally as important as those burgers, ribs and hot dogs are the side dishes you serve up. We all know this girl right here loves pasta so today I’m sharing with you 5 Easy Summer Pasta Salads that are my favorites!
We have had SO much rain & dark days lately in NJ that I think all of us are ready for Summer and soaking up some sun. I am looking forward to the kiddos being home from school, trips to the beach, hanging by the pool and of course GRILLING SEASON baby! Fire up the grill, throw on your favorite eats then make one of these insanely delicious 5 Easy Summer Pasta Salads to serve on the side.
I think pasta has to be on of the most versatile ingredients. You can serve hot or cold, hearty or light, veggie packed or with meats… truly the “pastabilities” are endless! All 5 of these recipes are easy to make, full of great flavor and always a big hit when I serve them! My Antipasto Tortellini Salad, Lemon Basil Pasta Salad, Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad and Italian Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad are all winners in my book!
Italian Tomato Cucumber Pasta Salad
Really simple ingredients but the flavor is spot on and look at those wonderfully bright colors!
Lemon Basil Pasta Salad with Asparagus & Tomato
Clearly I love the red, green and white color combo but this one is so fantastic too! The really simple lemon basil dressing is AMAZING and would be perfect on grilled chicken and shrimp too!
Super fun pasta shape, olives, artichokes, pepperoni, tomatoes, roasted peppers and Italian dressing. A family favorite for sure!
Who doesn’t love a tomato & mozzarella salad? It makes for a great pasta salad too. Tossed with sliced black olives and lots of fresh basil pesto.
Notice a pattern? I can’t help but gravitate towards my favorite Italian flavors. This one starts with delicious cheesy tortellini then tossed with some of my antipasto favorites. Fresh mozzarella, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoni, salami, sun dried tomatoes and fresh tomatoes. Perfection!
debi at Life Currents
I love me a good pasta salad – any time of the year. But they are especially nice in the summer because they are cold and easy to make. I have a pool party coming up. I think I’ll pick one of these to make for it! Thanks!
Deb
Oh my goodness, I’m all about the pasta salads! Love your recipes, I’m not sure I can pick a favorite so I will have to try them all!!
Julie Menghini
What a great compilation of salads! We love our pasta and these recipes will be great for our summer pot luck!
Kathy
Yum! So many good options. I love pasta salads and these are for sure tasty and easy to make!
Jennifer A Stewart
Pasta salads are a staple at any summer meal and I can’t wait to try all of these!!
Sandra Shaffer
The Italian pasta salad is going on my menu soon. Love all those extra goodies, which is really enough for a complete meal!
Michaela Kenkel
Pasta salad is always my go to when we are having a cookout!! We absolutely LOVE your tortellini antipasto salad!!
michele
Im always looking for new [pasta salads… these all sound so great! I cant wait to make a couple of them for a BBQ this weekend!
Amy Nash
All five of these delicious pasta salads are calling my name, but I think I’m going to try the Lemon Basil Pasta Salad with Asparagus & Tomato first! It looks so delicious!
Nikki
I really cannot get enough pasta salad recipes! They are just this thing for summer!
Angela LeMoine
I agree! And the possibilities really are endless with pasta salad!