12 Pasta Salad Twists That Ditch Italian Dressing—and Taste Way Better
Think pasta salad has to include Italian dressing? Think again. These 12 creative twists skip the usual bottle in favor of bold, unexpected flavors—from zesty vinaigrettes to creamy, craveable combos you’ll want on repeat. They’re fresh, fun, and guaranteed to shake up your potluck game. Get ready to upgrade your side dish with every forkful.
Tahini Pasta Salad
Packed with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and healthy fats, this tahini pasta salad is delicious, filling, and easy to make!
Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
There’s a reason cilantro and lime are paired together so often. It’s a burst of fresh flavor that just works! And that combination is what makes this Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad just amazingly tasty. Fresh tomatoes, crunch cucumbers, and sweet corn mixed with farfalle noodles and coated with a creamy, homemade Green Goddess dressing makes for an amazing lunch, meal prep staple, or barbecue side dish.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Texas Style
This Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, made with bacon, cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, Texas Shape pasta and jalapenos gives this pasta salad a Texas flair for any potluck, picnic, or party.
Pizza Pasta Salad
The best of both worlds pizza and pasta, this Pizza Pasta Salad is sure to be a crowd favorite. With delicious pasta, pepperoni, mozzarella, and plenty of vegetables this is a great recipe for picnic and potlucks!
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This easy creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe is the best summer side dish to bring to a BBQ or party. It’s packed with sweet corn kernels and dressed in a creamy sour cream and mayo-based dressing with a hint of chili and a splash of lime. A great make-ahead pasta salad!
Cordon Bleu Chicken Pasta Salad
Classic Chicken Cordon Bleu inspired this delicious chicken pasta salad, complete with all the flavors of the original – it’s a perfect summer side dish for any picnic, party, or BBQ!
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
This Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is spicy, creamy, and crunchy, making for a meal that’s filled with exciting flavors and textures. This salad is perfect for get-togethers, or as an easy weeknight meal.
Fiesta Garden Ranch Pasta Salad
This Fiesta Garden Ranch Pasta Salad is a healthy, colorful and flavorful Pasta Salad made with Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta, greek yogurt, spicy ranch dressing mix, and lots of colorful vegetables.
Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad
This Avocado Pasta Salad recipe is a healthy summer salad that’s perfect for picnics and potlucks. It has a rich creamy avocado sauce with tomatoes and corn.
Kale & Basil Pesto Caprese Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad is the perfect summertime side dish for your next potluck! Homemade kale pesto, crispy prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and fresh tomatoes make a simple caprese pasta salad that’s always a hit.
Cold Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
This Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad is easy and light with fresh vegetables. It’s the perfect summer side for grilling and potlucks.
Corn and Tomato Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad with corn and tomatoes is perfect for summer! Fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and cilantro are mixed with cavatappi and a fresh lemon dressing. Vegan, Vegetarian.
