15 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes That’ll Steal the Picnic Spotlight
There’s nothing sadder than a limp, soggy pasta salad at a picnic—except maybe realizing you forgot the forks. But fear not! These 15 vibrant, make-ahead pasta salads are designed to stay fresh, flavorful, and perfectly al dente, whether you’re lounging lakeside or hiking to your favorite scenic spot.
From zesty global-inspired creations to creamy, crunchy crowd-pleasers, we’ve crafted a lineup that’s anything but ordinary. These pasta salads hold up beautifully in transit, taste better as they chill, and are guaranteed to make your picnic spread the envy of every blanket around.
Let’s dive into the 15 refreshing, picnic-perfect pasta salads!
1. Mango Sriracha Lime Pasta Salad
Description: A sweet-spicy twist on pasta salad with juicy mango, crunchy veggies, and a creamy sriracha-lime dressing that packs a punch.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1 lime, juiced
Instructions:
- Cook pasta al dente, rinse under cold water
- Whisk yogurt, sriracha, and lime juice
- Toss with pasta, mango, bell pepper, and cilantro
- Chill for 1+ hour before serving
2. Everything Bagel Pasta Salad
Description: All the flavors of your favorite bagel in pasta form—cream cheese dressing, smoked salmon, capers, and everything seasoning.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 4 oz smoked salmon, chopped
- 2 tbsp capers
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
Instructions:
- Cook and cool pasta
- Blend cream cheese with 2 tbsp water for dressing
- Toss with pasta, salmon, capers, and onion
- Sprinkle generously with seasoning
3. Mediterranean Orzo Stuffed Tomatoes
Description: Individual serving-sized tomatoes stuffed with lemony orzo, feta, and olives—a gorgeous, no-mess presentation.
Ingredients:
- 6 large beefsteak tomatoes
- 1 cup orzo, cooked
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives, chopped
- 2 tbsp lemon vinaigrette
Instructions:
- Cut tomato tops, scoop out pulp
- Mix orzo with feta, olives, and dressing
- Stuff into tomato shells
- Chill upside down on paper towels
4. Rainbow Veggie Rotini with Avocado Pesto
Description: A vibrant veggie-packed pasta with a creamy avocado-basil pesto that stays bright green for hours.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz tri-color rotini
- 1 avocado
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Instructions:
- Cook pasta, blanch broccoli
- Blend avocado, basil, and lemon juice
- Toss with pasta and veggies
- Top with extra basil
5. Thai Peanut Noodle Salad in Jars
Description: Layers of cold rice noodles, crunchy veggies, and spicy peanut sauce—packed in jars for perfect portion control.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup purple cabbage
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sriracha
Instructions:
- Cook and rinse noodles
- Layer noodles then veggies in jars
- Mix peanut butter, soy sauce, and sriracha with water to thin
- Pour sauce over when ready to eat
6. Caprese Tortellini Skewers
Description: Cheese tortellini, mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes threaded on skewers with balsamic glaze—fun finger food!
Ingredients:
- 12 oz cheese tortellini, cooked
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
- Alternate tortellini, tomatoes, and mozzarella on skewers
- Drizzle with glaze
- Garnish with basil
- Pack standing up in container
7. Lemon Tahini Farro Salad
Description: Nutty farro with roasted veggies and a bright lemon-tahini dressing—a hearty, gluten-free option.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup farro, cooked
- 1 cup roasted cauliflower
- ½ cup chickpeas
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions:
- Cook farro, let cool
- Whisk tahini, lemon, and honey
- Toss with farro and veggies
- Top with parsley
8. Wasabi Pea Crunch Pasta Salad
Description: A Japanese-inspired pasta salad with crunchy wasabi peas, edamame, and a creamy ginger dressing that packs a flavorful punch.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz soba noodles
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- ½ cup wasabi peas, crushed
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
Instructions:
- Cook soba noodles, rinse with cold water
- Mix mayo with ginger and 1 tbsp water
- Toss noodles with edamame and cucumber
- Top with crushed wasabi peas before serving
9. Greek Yogurt Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
Description: All the flavors of a BLT in pasta form with a lightened-up Greek yogurt ranch dressing that won’t wilt in the heat.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine, chopped
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Instructions:
- Cook and cool pasta
- Mix yogurt with ranch seasoning
- Combine all ingredients just before serving
- Pack lettuce separately to maintain crunch
10. Tropical Coconut Lime Pasta Salad
Description: A refreshing tropical twist with coconut milk-lime dressing, mango, and macadamia nuts for unexpected texture.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 cup diced mango
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ¼ cup macadamia nuts, chopped
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 2 limes, juiced
Instructions:
- Cook pasta al dente, rinse with cold water
- Whisk coconut milk with lime juice
- Toss with pasta and mango
- Top with coconut and nuts before serving
11. Antipasto Tortellini Skewers
Description: Cheese tortellini, salami, olives, and mozzarella threaded on skewers with balsamic glaze – perfect finger food.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz cheese tortellini, cooked
- 20 small mozzarella balls
- 20 slices salami, rolled
- 20 pitted olives
- ¼ cup balsamic glaze
Instructions:
- Alternate ingredients on skewers
- Drizzle with glaze
- Pack standing up in container
- Include extra glaze for dipping
12. Smoked Gouda & Apple Orzo Salad
Description: A sweet-savory combination with crisp apples, smoky gouda, and a maple-dijon vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo, cooked
- 1 apple, diced
- ½ cup smoked gouda, cubed
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup pecans
Instructions:
- Cook and cool orzo
- Whisk syrup and mustard for dressing
- Toss with all ingredients
- Chill at least 1 hour before serving
13. Rainbow Quinoa Pasta Salad
Description: Protein-packed quinoa pasta with colorful bell peppers, chickpeas, and a lemon-tahini dressing.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz quinoa pasta
- 1 cup mixed bell peppers, diced
- ½ cup chickpeas
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions:
- Cook pasta, rinse with cold water
- Whisk tahini, lemon juice, and cumin
- Toss with vegetables and pasta
- Garnish with parsley
14. Pizza Pasta Salad Jars
Description: All your favorite pizza toppings layered with pasta in individual jars – just shake and eat!
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup mini pepperoni
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup black olives
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
- Cook and cool pasta
- Layer ingredients in jars: sauce first, then pasta, toppings
- Sprinkle with seasoning
- Shake well before eating
15. Dessert Cannoli Pasta Salad
Description: A sweet finale with ricotta-filled pasta shells, chocolate chips, and candied orange peel.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz jumbo pasta shells
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp candied orange peel
Instructions:
- Cook shells al dente, rinse with cold water
- Mix ricotta with powdered sugar
- Fill shells with ricotta mixture
- Top with chocolate chips and orange peel
Picnic Pasta Salad Pro Tips
- Undercook pasta by 1 minute for perfect al dente texture
- Pack dressings separately for last-minute tossing
- Use wide-mouth jars for easy serving
- Freeze water bottles to keep salads chilled
- Bring silicone muffin cups to separate toppings
Which of these creative pasta salads will you make for your next outdoor feast? From savory to sweet, these recipes are guaranteed to make your picnic unforgettable!
