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May 24, 2017

Best Pasta Salads – 4 Ways – Meal Prep + VIDEO

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.

These are the Four Most Popular Pasta Salads that everyone looks for. Caprese, Chicken Caesar, Greek Tortellini and Broccoli Pasta Salad. They are the perfect side dish to bring to summer potlucks, parties, Memorial Day / Fourth of July grillouts/barbecues and picnics. Best of all, they are all so easy to make and easy to customize with an option for homemade dressing. Works great for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

 

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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.

These are the Four Most Popular Pasta Salads that everyone looks for. Caprese, Chicken Caesar, Greek Tortellini and Broccoli Pasta Salad. They are the perfect side dish to bring to summer potlucks, parties, Memorial Day / Fourth of July grillouts/barbecues and picnics. Best of all, they are all so easy to make and easy to customize with an option for homemade dressing. Works great for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

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.

Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad - 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.

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!

  1. Caprese
  2. Chicken Caesar
  3. Greek Tortellini
  4. Broccoli Pasta Salad

(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.

Caprese Pasta Salad - 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.

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

Caprese Pasta Salad - 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.

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

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad - 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 has all the classic flavors of a caesar salad. Perfect for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

 

  • 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

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad - 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 has all the classic flavors of a caesar salad. Perfect for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

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

Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad - 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.

  • 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)

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.

  • 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

  1. Caprese Pasta Salad
  2. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
  3. Broccoli Pasta Salad
  4. Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
  5. For the homemade dressing: Combine all the ingredients together in a resealable jar. Shake well and set aside.
  6. 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.
7.8.1.2
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More side dishes:

Italian Pasta Salad

This Easy Italian Pasta is the perfect side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks, parties and cookouts. Best of all, you can customize the add-ins with what you have on hand. This recipe includes cherry tomatoes, zucchini, olives, feta cheese, onions, chopped kale and some fresh herbs like parsley and basil. A homemade Italian dressing makes this even more delicious!

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad - 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 has all the classic flavors of a caesar salad. Perfect for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad - 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.

Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad

Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad - 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.

Broccoli Pasta Salad

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.

Grilled Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Caesar Salad

Teriyaki Chicken Caesar Salad makes the perfect healthy weeknight 30 minute meal!!

Asian Sesame Steak Fajita Salad

Asian Sesame Lime Steak Fajita Salad makes the perfect healthy dinner!
These are the Four Most Popular Pasta Salads that everyone looks for. Caprese, Chicken Caesar, Greek Tortellini and Broccoli Pasta Salad. They are the perfect side dish to bring to summer potlucks, parties, Memorial Day / Fourth of July grillouts/barbecues and picnics. Best of all, they are all so easy to make and easy to customize with an option for homemade dressing. Works great for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

These are the Four Most Popular Pasta Salads that everyone looks for. Caprese, Chicken Caesar, Greek Tortellini and Broccoli Pasta Salad. They are the perfect side dish to bring to summer potlucks, parties, Memorial Day / Fourth of July grillouts/barbecues and picnics. Best of all, they are all so easy to make and easy to customize with an option for homemade dressing. Works great for Sunday meal prep and leftovers are delicious for school or work lunchboxes or lunchbowls.

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Filed Under: Lunch Bowls - Work / School, Make Ahead, Meal Prep, Recipes, Salads Tagged With: barbecue, easy, pasta, summer

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