15 Cold Pasta Salads That Are Perfect for Picnics
Picnic season is calling, and you know what that means—blankets, sunshine, and a cooler full of delicious bites! But let’s be real: no one wants to juggle mayo-laden dishes or worry about food that wilts in the heat.
Enter the ultimate hero of alfresco dining: cold pasta salads. These dishes are not only super easy to whip up, but they also travel like champs and taste even better after a little chill time.
Whether you’re team tangy vinaigrette or creamy and cheesy, there’s a pasta salad here that’ll steal the show at your next picnic.
Forks up—let’s dive into these 15 flavor-packed favorites that’ll have your picnic basket bursting with goodness!
1. Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Description:
This vibrant salad is the definition of “crowd-pleaser.” Bursting with colorful veggies, zesty Italian dressing, and savory salami, it’s a picnic-perfect classic that never goes out of style.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup cubed salami or pepperoni
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook rotini pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Toss with Italian dressing until well coated.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
2. Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Description:
Smoky bacon, creamy ranch, and crisp veggies come together for a salad that disappears faster than you can say “pass the pasta!”
Ingredients:
- 3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together ranch and mayo.
- Add cooked pasta, bacon, cucumber, cheese, and green onions.
- Mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
3. Greek Pasta Salad
Description:
Fresh and zippy, this Mediterranean-inspired salad is loaded with feta, olives, and a lemony vinaigrette that’ll make your taste buds dance.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups penne or fusilli pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, veggies, olives, and feta.
- Pour dressing over and toss well.
- Chill for 30–60 minutes before serving.
4. Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad
Description:
Savory and herbaceous, this green goddess of a salad stars pesto-coated pasta with chunks of juicy chicken and cherry tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix pasta, chicken, and tomatoes.
- Stir in pesto until well coated.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan and mix gently.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
5. Southwest Pasta Salad
Description:
This salad brings the fiesta to your picnic! It’s full of bold flavors—think black beans, corn, and a zesty lime dressing.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rotini or penne pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup canned corn, drained
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, mix pasta, veggies, beans, and cilantro.
- Drizzle with dressing and toss to combine.
- Chill before serving.
6. Caprese Pasta Salad
Description:
Simple yet elegant, this salad combines classic Caprese ingredients with pasta for a fresh and cheesy twist.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked fusilli pasta, cooled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Toss pasta with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Season and mix gently.
- Chill until ready to serve.
7. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Description:
Tangy, crunchy, and slightly addictive—this one’s for the pickle lovers! A creamy dressing ties it all together.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups shell pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 1/4 cup pickle juice
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk together mayo, sour cream, pickle juice, salt, and pepper.
- Combine pasta, pickles, celery, and cheese in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over and mix well.
- Chill before serving for best flavor.
8. Avocado BLT Pasta Salad
Description:
Your favorite sandwich just got a pasta makeover! Creamy avocado, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce make this salad fresh and crave-worthy.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix mayo, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado.
- Gently stir in dressing just before serving (to avoid soggy lettuce).
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
9. Tuna Pasta Salad
Description:
This protein-packed pasta salad is creamy, comforting, and ideal for a filling picnic lunch. Tuna and pasta are a match made in chilled-food heaven!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled
- 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water, drained
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt (optional, for creaminess)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, whisk together mayo, yogurt, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, tuna, celery, and onion.
- Stir in dressing until well mixed.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving.
10. Asian Sesame Noodle Salad
Description:
Bold, nutty, and bursting with flavor—this cold noodle salad uses sesame oil and soy sauce to bring an irresistible Asian twist.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti or soba noodles, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
- Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and ginger.
- Toss noodles with carrots, cucumber, and scallions.
- Pour dressing over and toss well.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chill before serving.
11. Broccoli Cheddar Pasta Salad
Description:
Think broccoli cheddar soup, but make it picnic-perfect and chilled! This cheesy salad is surprisingly refreshing with a nice crunch.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups small pasta shells or rotini, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup broccoli florets (lightly steamed or raw)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Whisk together mayo, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, cheese, and onion.
- Mix in the dressing until well coated.
- Chill before serving.
12. Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad
Description:
Sweet meets savory in this fruity pasta salad that’s perfect for a summer spread. The poppy seed dressing ties everything together beautifully.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/3 cup poppy seed dressing
Instructions:
- Toss pasta with spinach, strawberries, feta, and pecans.
- Drizzle with poppy seed dressing.
- Mix gently and chill for 30 minutes before serving.
13. Taco Pasta Salad
Description:
Taco night just showed up to the picnic—and it brought the chips! This hearty salad is bold, beefy, and topped with crushed tortilla chips for crunch.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1/2 lb ground beef, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/3 cup salsa
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- Crushed tortilla chips (for topping)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix salsa and sour cream to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, seasoned beef, tomatoes, beans, cheese, and green onions.
- Stir in dressing until combined.
- Top with crushed chips just before serving.
14. Roasted Veggie Pasta Salad
Description:
Loaded with caramelized roasted vegetables, this pasta salad brings deep, earthy flavors to your picnic table.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups penne or rotini, cooked and cooled
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions:
- Toss veggies with olive oil, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 20–25 minutes. Let cool.
- Mix roasted veggies with pasta in a large bowl.
- Add balsamic vinaigrette and toss.
- Chill for 1 hour before serving.
15. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Description:
This creamy, sweet-and-savory island-style pasta salad is a picnic favorite—perfect alongside grilled meats or as a stand-alone dish.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and cooled
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix mayo, milk, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Toss pasta with carrot, onion, and the dressing.
- Chill for at least 1 hour for best flavor.
