Recipes Salad Pasta Salad 12 Creamy Pasta Salads for Summer By Vicky McDonald Vicky McDonald Vicky McDonald is a Seattle-based editor with over 15 years of experience in the media industry. She currently works as an editor for ParentMap.com. Prior to that, she was a senior content manager at Allrecipes. She loves baking, developing new recipes, and growing vegetables. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on June 22, 2024 Close Photo: momlovestocook Pasta salads are a cinch to make and a great choice for big-batch, make-ahead meals. Add your choice of proteins and other add-ins, and you've got a satisfying main dish. What really sets a good pasta salad apart is a great-tasting creamy dressing. Here are some of our most popular creamy pasta salad recipes that have perfected the ratio of pasta, add-ins, and just the right dressing to pull all the ingredients together. 01 of 13 Italian Confetti Pasta Salad cookingbug "This recipe is fantastic and so easy to make. The fresh basil is a MUST and I don't change a thing. This has turned into a family favorite—and I love it even more the next day with a little tuna mixed in for lunch." —Boomernkate View Recipe 02 of 13 Shrimp Pasta Salad with a Creamy Lemon Dressing Photo by lutzflcat. "It was the best Allrecipes meal that I made all week! We loved it and will definitely make it again." —kfolberg View Recipe 03 of 13 Amelia's Tuna Macaroni Salad KGora "This is a wonderful, delicious, and easy recipe. I love making it because it's a great side dish, or just to eat it by itself for lunch." —nancylo81 View Recipe Try This: Barbie's Tuna Salad 04 of 13 Chicken Club Pasta Salad Photo by Christina. "Excellent dressing for the pasta & flexible for any leftover proteins. The family demolished this!" —Kopita11 View Recipe 05 of 13 Macaroni Salad with Pickles momlovestocook "I love this macaroni salad and have made it several times. All of the extras — pickles, olives, green pepper, etc. — give this macaroni salad great flavor. And best of all, it's really easy to make." —anitahfl View Recipe 06 of 13 Springtime Pasta Salad Photo by AuntE. "Very tasty, creamy, and a keeper. The olives did the trick for me. I wouldn't change a thing. I would double for a picnic." —AuntE. View Recipe 07 of 13 Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad btnymeg "I bring this macaroni salad to barbecues and potlucks and everyone loves it — people never even realize it's vegan!" —btnymeg View Recipe 08 of 13 Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad Monte McCallister "Your family and friends will love this zesty pasta salad. A surprising change from traditional pasta salads." —JOSLYN H. View Recipe 09 of 13 American Italian Pasta Salad Photo by CookinBug. "Honestly, the best creamy pasta salad. Fresh parsley and the dry Italian dressing mix are definitely the key ingredients." —CMIKUS View Recipe 10 of 13 Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Brie Passano "Hands down the best pasta salad in the galaxy! My husband had it for BREAKFAST the next day!" —Elizabeth View Recipe 11 of 13 Creamy Macaroni Salad The Spruce "This creamy pasta salad recipe is easy and a huge hit at every function I take it to. I've looked all over for a great macaroni salad, and this is it!" —Mandy Franke View Recipe 12 of 13 Pesto Tortellini Salad "A wonderful pesto tortellini salad with crunchy veggies and basil pesto sauce. This recipe is so different from the classic Italian pasta salads. Works as a main dish or a very hearty side dish for lunch." —Jenny Saunders View Recipe 13 of 13 More Inspiration Buckwheat Queen 12 Summer Pasta Salads with Bold Flavor Use This Easy Formula to Make the Best Pasta Salad Every Time Find More Pasta Salad Recipes Updated by Emily Boyette Emily Boyette Emily Boyette is a highly qualified editor within the food media industry with eight-plus years of experience. From galleries and listicles to recipe manuscripts and articles, her knowledge of cooking goes beyond text. Emily is a writer for Allrecipes. Learn about our editorial guidelines Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit