Rachel Gunter
These easy pasta salad recipes can be made in larger batches to portion up and store in the fridge for lunches or lighter dinners. They also make a great addition to your next family BBQ or picnic, using fresh, seasonal ingredients and taking minimal time and effort to make.
We’ve rounded up our favourite pasta salad recipes that make the most of storecupboard staples, fresh produce and leftover ingredients to cater to every budget and help minimise food waste.
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Discover more of our budget-friendly pasta recipes and find new ideas to make the most of seasonal ingredients with our summer storecupboard recipes.
For more summer salad inspiration, see our top 10 summer salad recipes and summer salad collection, plus our recipe for this epic summer salad.
1. Elote-inspired pasta salad
Venture beyond the average pasta salad with the help of a Mexican staple, a corn on the cob dish, elote. Layering spirali with sweetcorn, feta and spring onion, and coated in a dressing made of mayonnaise, lime juice and chilli powder, it’s a fantastic salad to add to your rotation.
2. BLT pasta salad
Switch up your kids’ lunchbox with this cold pasta salad, inspired by the much-loved sandwich. It also packs in two of their five-a-day. For more kids’ lunchbox ideas, check out these quick lunchbox recipes.
3. Salmon pasta salad with lemon & capers
For a budget-friendly and nutritious lunch, this filling meal is perfect if you’re on the go. The wholemeal pasta adds some extra fibre as well, which will keep you feeling fuller for longer.
4. Pesto pasta salad
Have a go at our classic pesto recipe, then use it to make this pesto pasta salad recipe. Or, simply use up the open jar in your fridge. This salad is packed with veggies, from cucumber and peas to cherry tomatoes, while keeping the ingredient list short. It’s great for a packed lunch or summery picnic.
5. Creamy bacon & tomato pasta salad
Recreate this summer pasta salad for your next picnic or al fresco lunch. It’s made with bacon, spinach, tomato and basil, and a delicious honey & mustard dressing for a flavour punch.
6. Chicken pasta salad
Perfect for the warmer evenings or an al fresco lunch, this pasta salad recipe can also be made with leftover roast chicken, if you have it. Box up the leftovers and have as a lunch the next day.
7. Veggie hummus pasta salad
It’s surprisingly easy to make your own hummus, as this veggie pasta salad recipe proves. Ready in just 30 minutes, this salad is bursting with colour and flavour. For a homemade creamy hummus, take a look at our recipe here.
8. Ratatouille pasta salad with rocket
A great way to use up leftover ratatouille, this makes a filling vegetarian lunch that’s quick to prepare and provides all your five-a-day. Have a look at our top ways to use up your leftovers for more inspiration.
9. Greek pasta salad
Get that summer holiday feeling with this Greek-inspired pasta salad. It’s full of feta, olives and tomatoes, and makes for a perfect picnic dish or a filling lunch if you’re on-the-go.
10. Tuna pasta salad
Throw together a classic tuna pasta salad in no time. It features a simple, but punchy dressing of yogurt, mustard, olive oil, vinegar, onion and basil, with red peppers and sweetcorn providing crunch. Pack into containers for tomorrow’s lunch or take to a picnic, if you like.
