Best Pasta Salads – 4 Ways – these recipes are perfect for taking along to summer potlucks, picnics and parties. Great for Sunday Meal Prep as well. Plus video.

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Summer is just around the corner and that means it’s high time for the season of picnics, barbecues and patio parties.

Pasta salads are always the perfect side dish to bring along. They are simple to make, travel well and are so easy to customize.

Plus you can make them ahead of time and they are usually one of the first things to disappear at a party or potluck.

I love that any leftovers are great to pack along in school lunchboxes or work lunch bowls for the week too. This is the lunch container I use.

Or you can even make them for Sunday meal prep!

It’s such a great way to use up any leftover meat, cheese and vegetables and tossing them together with some cold pasta and dressing.

So if you’re looking at what to bring to your next grill out, these 4 classic Pasta Salads are sure to be a hit!

(And another favorite is this Italian Pasta Salad)

Caprese Pasta Salad (RECIPE HERE) – an older recipe (that was just updated) and shared on my site a few years ago and is perfect for Caprese fans.

Small pasta shells (Ditalini or Orecchiette)
Grape/Cherry tomatoes
Fresh Mozzarella cheese
Basil
Homemade or your favorite Balsamic Dressing

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (Recipe HERE) – this is my husband’s all time favorite and is another older recipe from a few years ago.

Medium pasta shells (Farfalle, rotini or penne)
Romaine lettuce
Grape/Cherry tomatoes
Green onions
Basil
Cooked chicken (grilled or rotisserie would work great)
Parmesan cheese
Croutons
Homemade or your favorite Caesar Dressing

Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad (Recipe HERE or scroll to the BOTTOM)

Tortellini
Red onions
Cucumber
Grape/Cherry tomatoes
Sliced radishes
Black olives
Feta
Basil
Homemade or your favorite Greek Dressing

Broccoli Pasta Salad (Recipe HERE or at the BOTTOM)

Medium pasta shells (Farfalle, rotini or penne)
Broccoli florets
Seedless red grapes
Red onions
Cucumber
Radishes
Feta
Pecans
Dried Cranberries
Homemade or your favorite Poppyseed or Ranch dressing

Broccoli Pasta Salad with grapes and pecans the perfect side dish to bring to summer potlucks, parties, Memorial Day / Fourth of July grillouts/barbecues. Best of all, it's so easy to make and easy to customize with your favorite toppings and homemade dressing. Perfect for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

Pasta Salad – 4 Ways - Meal Prep + VIDEO

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Ingredients

Caprese Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Broccoli Pasta Salad

Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad

1 (12 ounce) package fresh cheese tortellini

1/3 cup chopped red onions

1 cup chopped cucumber

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup sliced radishes

1/2 cup sliced black or kalamata olives

2/3 cup crumbled feta

1/4 cup chopped basil

3/4 cup Greek Salad Dressing OR Homemade Dressing

For the homemade dressing

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 cloves garlic, grated

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon honey, organic agave syrup or sugar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Caprese Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Broccoli Pasta Salad
Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
For the homemade dressing: Combine all the ingredients together in a resealable jar. Shake well and set aside.
For the salad: Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and toss to evenly coat. Season as needed with salt and pepper to taste. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.