20 Scrumptious Pasta Salad Recipes

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com
June 01, 2012

Bring fresh flavor to your table when you serve our pasta salads, featuring a variety of noodles, dressings, herbs, cheeses, vegetables and more.

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Mexican Street Corn Macaroni Salad

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In Mexico, grilled corn comes coated in mayonnaise, lime, cheese and cilantro. We just added pasta, plus lots of green onion for bite. It's a macaroni salad that's anything but basic.

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Creamy Spinach-Basil Pasta Salad

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Fresh basil in the dressing lends a hint of pesto-inspired sophistication to this mayo-rich pasta salad.

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Greek Orzo Salad

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Olives and feta give salty punch to this pasta salad from Surdyk's Liquor and Cheese Shop in Minneapolis.

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Roasted Tomato Pasta with Mozzarella

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Red and yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and plenty of herbs and spices add color and flavor to this bountiful pasta salad. Sprinkle fresh basil on top.

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Greek Pasta Salad

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Toss pasta with fresh herbs, vegetables, feta cheese and olives for this Mediterranean-influenced salad.

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Corn and Tomato Pasta Salad

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Shredded chicken makes this gorgeous salad hearty enough to serve on its own for dinner.

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Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad with Walnut Pesto

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This lower-calorie pasta salad features roasted vegetables, whole wheat penne pasta and homemade pesto. To turn it into a main dish, stir in a can of rinsed and drained white beans or add chunks of grilled chicken.

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Southwestern Chicken and Macaroni Salad

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Awaken your senses with a potluck salad full of hot poblano peppers, cool avocado, crispy chicken strips and cream cheese. 

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Citrus Tuna Pasta Salad

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Yellow sweet peppers, artichoke hearts, ripe olives and a light lemon-herb dressing highlight this colorful pasta salad.

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Beefy Pasta Salad

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Lean beef, fiber-rich multigrain pasta, and summer-fresh corn, tomatoes, and basil make this a healthier option for pasta salad.

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Deli-Style Tortellini Salad

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Mustard-herb vinaigrette dresses cheese-filled tortellini, chopped broccoli, carrots and sweet peppers in our version of this deli classic.

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Crunchy Asian Noodle Slaw

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Sesame seeds, ramen noodles, soy sauce, ginger and fresh broccoli give Asian flair to this fresh take on coleslaw.

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Shrimp Pasta Salad

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A homemade citrus vinaigrette or bottled Italian salad dressing tops this combo of shrimp, pasta and chopped veggies.

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Reunion Noodle Salad

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Soy sauce, lemon-infused olive oil and garlic create a flavorful dressing for this pasta and vegetable salad. The recipe comes from the Savage family in Columbus, Ohio, where they serve it at big family gatherings.

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Italian Basil, Tomato and Pasta Salad

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Designed for a potluck or large family gathering, this make-ahead salad features a mustard-garlic vinaigrette along with cut green beans, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, your choice of pasta and lots of basil!

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Terrific Tortellini Salad

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Light cheese-filled tortellini and reduced-fat ranch salad dressing, combined with lots of broccoli and carrots, lower the calories in this pasta salad.

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Ravioli and Greens Salad

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Fresh veggies and herbs amp up the flavor but not the calorie count in this mix of whole wheat four-cheese ravioli and homemade dressing.

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Asian-Style Chicken Salad

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Curly noodles, almonds, sesame seeds and rice vinegar blend in this crunchy, tangy salad from a West Des Moines, Iowa, reader.

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Thai Chicken and Soba Noodle Salad

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This Thai-inspired version of chicken salad blends buckwheat noodles, a peanut sauce, and crunchy fresh vegetables and greens.

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Fruity Pasta Salad

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Showcase fresh colors and flavors with a combination of honeydew, strawberries, cashews, pasta and snow peas, all mixed with poppy seed dressing.

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Italian Pasta Salad

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A simple red wine vinegar dressing makes this pasta salad side dish lower in fat and calories than most deli pasta salads.

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By The editors of MidwestLiving.com