5 Delicious Summer Pasta Salads

Summer nights means family barbecues by the river and enjoying time spent with one another. From hotdogs and hamburgers to delicious s’mores and pies, what’s your go-to meal for summer nights? If you’re scratching your head drawing a blank, allow us to jog your inspiration with these delicious summer salad recipes. An added bonus, they all take under 30 minutes to make. Get cooking!

Chicken Pasta Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

FOR SALAD

• 1 lb. fusilli pasta
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 c. halved grape tomatoes
• 2 c. spinach, packed
• 1/2 c. crumbled feta
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp. freshly chopped dill

FOR DRESSING

• 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. dijon mustard
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook fusilli according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, 8 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes, then cut into 1″ pieces.
3. Meanwhile, make dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic, and mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
4. In the large bowl with the pasta, toss together all remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over salad, toss until coated, and serve.

Italian Pasta Salad

Prep time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Ready in: 20 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

FOR THE PASTA

• 16 oz. fusili pasta, cooked according to package instructions
• 8 oz. mozzarella balls, halved
• 4 oz. salami, quartered
• 2 c. baby spinach
• 1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 c. artichoke hearts, chopped
• 1/2 c. pitted black olives, sliced

FOR THE DRESSING

• 1/3 c. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss together pasta, mozzarella, salami, spinach, tomatoes, artichokes, and olives.
2. To make the dressing, add olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and red pepper flakes to a jar and secure with a lid then shake to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Dress pasta with dressing and serve.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Prep time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 25 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb. gemelli or penne
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 c. 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 c. ranch dressing
• 2 tbsp. freshly chopped chives

Directions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook gemelli according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to large bowl.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked through, 8 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes, then cut into 1″ pieces.
3. To bowl, add gemelli, chicken, bacon, and ranch and toss until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Garnish with chives before serving.

Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad

Prep time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 25 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 lb. farfalle
• 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 c. Feta, crumbled
• 2 c. strawberries, quartered
• 1/2 c. baby spinach
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 c. almond slivers, toasted, for garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook farfalle according to package directions until al dente. Drain, then transfer to a large serving bowl.
2. Make balsamic glaze: In a small saucepan, bring balsamic vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
3. To bowl, add feta, strawberries, and spinach. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with almonds.

Bloody Mary Pasta Salad

Prep time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ready in: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD

• 12 oz. cavatappi
• 1 c. crumbled cooked bacon
• 1 c. chopped celery
• 1 pt. cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 c. green bell pepper
• 1 c. red bell pepper
• 1 c. sliced red onion
• 8 oz. mozzarella, cubed
• 1/2 c. chopped green pimento-stuffed olives

FOR THE DRESSING

• 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. prepared horseradish
• 4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp. hot sauce
• 3/4 tsp. celery seeds
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, make dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, and celery seeds. Season with salt and pepper.
3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, bacon, celery, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, mozzarella, and olives.
4. Pour over dressing until ingredients are combined and completely coated. Garnish with bacon and serve.

Recipes sourced from Delish.