We all love Pasta- the Perfect Italian food loved by all Indians across the world! Foodism welcomes you to the world of perfect pasta salads - whether you are looking for a potluck star, picnic favourites or a lazy dinner option, your answer is an easy-peasy Pasta Salads. 

In this blog, we will serve 8 standout recipes- starting from the classic Italian Pasta Salad to fusion hits like Spicy Chicken Pasta Salad and zesty Orzo Salad. Each dish brings something unique to the table, and we’re topping it off with styling tips and dressing ideas to steal the spotlight! 

Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rotini pasta
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup mozzarella balls
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup salami slices, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped basil
• ⅓ cup Italian vinaigrette dressing

Instructions:

To make Italian Pasta Salad - 

1. Cook pasta until al dente. Rinse with cold water.
2. In a bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, red onion, and salami.
3. Add basil and pour in the vinaigrette to your Italian Pasta Salad.
4. Toss well and chill. Italian Pasta Salad tastes best when served cold. 
5. Tip: Serve Italian Pasta Salad in a wooden salad bowl for a rustic, Tuscan vibe.

Cold Pasta Salad 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pasta (bowtie or penne)
• ½ cup cucumber, diced
• ½ cup red bell pepper
• ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp parsley
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

To make Cold Pasta Salad - 

1. Boil pasta, rinse under cold water.
2. Toss pasta with chopped vegetables.
3. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper for dressing.
4. Mix the dressing with the pasta. Cold pasta salad recipes like this are perfect for meal prep or picnics.
5. Tip: Layer cold pasta salad recipes in mason jars for individual servings—perfect for outdoor events or cafes.

Chicken Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pasta (fusilli or penne)
• 1 cup grilled chicken breast, sliced
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup bell peppers
• ¼ cup red onion
• ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yoghurt
• 1 tsp mustard
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

To make Chicken Pasta Salad - 

1. Cook and cool the pasta.
2. Mix in grilled chicken, vegetables.
3. Blend mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
4. Combine everything. Chill before serving. Chicken Pasta Salad gets better with time.

Tips: 

• Use grilled chicken strips or herb-roasted shredded chicken for a gourmet edge in your Chicken Pasta Salad
• Add a dash of peri-peri or tandoori spice to the chicken pasta salad for an Indian twist.

Pasta Salad Dressing

To make the Pasta Salad Dressing - 

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise or yoghurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt, pepper, and herbs (oregano, basil)

Instructions:

To make the pasta salad dressing - 

1. Whisk all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Pour over your favourite pasta salad. This pasta salad dressing works with veggie, chicken, or Italian pasta salads.

Orzo Salad

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups cooked orzo pasta
• ½ cup cucumber, chopped
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup red onion
• ¼ cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp parsley
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

To make Orzo Salad - 

1. Cook and cool orzo.
2. Combine with chopped veggies and feta.
3. Mix lemon juice and olive oil for dressing.
4. Toss everything together. Chill and serve your Orzo Salad cold.
5. Tip: Serve Orzo Salad in ceramic tasting spoons or shot glasses as amuse-bouche. Toss in toasted nuts (like almonds or pistachios) just before serving for added crunch.

Spaghetti Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked spaghetti, broken into halves
• ½ cup green bell pepper
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup black olives
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• ⅓ cup Italian dressing

Instructions:

To make Spaghetti Salad - 

1. Cook and cool spaghetti.
2. Mix with vegetables and cheese.
3. Add Italian dressing and toss well.
4. Chill your Spaghetti Salad for at least an hour before serving.
5. Tip: Add shredded cheese over your warm spaghetti salad before cooling slightly for a melted, stringy texture that photographs well.

Macaroni Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• ½ cup celery, chopped
• ½ cup carrots
• ¼ cup red onion
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• Salt, sugar, pepper

Instructions:

To make the Macaroni Pasta Salad - 

1. Cook and cool macaroni.
2. Mix with vegetables.
3. Stir mayo, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar for dressing.
4. Combine and chill. Macaroni Pasta Salad tastes even better the next day.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pasta (penne or farfalle)
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup black olives
• ¼ cup mozzarella balls
• ¼ cup prepared basil pesto
• Optional: pine nuts and arugula

Instructions:

To make the Pesto Pasta Salad - 

1. Cook pasta and cool slightly.
2. Add veggies, cheese, and olives.
3. Stir in pesto. Toss well.
4. Chill before serving. Pesto Pasta Salad is an instant crowd-pleaser.
5. Tip: Add sun-dried tomatoes or grilled zucchini for a gourmet Mediterranean vibe in your Pesto Pasta Salad. 

Now that you have the recipes for crave-worthy pasta salads, grab your fork and don’t forget that your favourite pasta salad dressing is just a whisk away! If you have any of your pasta salad creations, do upload them on Foodism and share them with our vibrant food community.