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10 Delicious Pasta Salads You'll Want To Dish Up All Summer

This summer, fill your salad bowls with everything from creamy macaroni to pesto-dressed fusilli or corn and edamame-laced orecchiette.
Classic macaroni pasta salad recipe

Pasta salad recipes please even the pickiest eaters, so make it the star of your lunch, dinner or barbecue with one of these delicious side dishes. (And get our tips on how to make a perfect pasta salad.) From saucy classics to fresh, highly seasonal bowls and more, you'll have a hard time choosing just one to make tonight.

Summer Corn Pasta Salad

Grilled sweet corn is delicious straight from the cob, but it also makes a great addition to summer salads. Try our trick for getting corn off the cob, then add it to your salad! Get this summer-corn pasta salad recipe.

Summer corn pasta salad in a white bowl with red trim, topped with edamame, green onions, jalapeños and fresh basil, next to a pallet of red and white straws and a bottle of rose lemonade on a picnic table(Photo: Angus Fergusson)

Classic macaroni salad

This crowd-pleaser is a major improvement from the versions you find at the grocery store. Get this classic macaroni salad recipe.

Classic macaroni salad in a bowl.Photo, Erik Putz.

Mushroom, zucchini and tomato pasta salad

Grilled and fresh vegetables get tossed in a quick pesto and yogurt dressing for an easy dinner or side dish. Get this mushroom, zucchini and tomato pasta salad recipe.

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Mushroom, zucchini and tomato pasta salad on a plate.Photo, Carmen Cheung.

Pesto and artichoke pasta salad

Dressed in a spinach pesto with fresh parmesan and artichokes, this elegant salad can grace the table for any kind of summer get-together. Get this pesto and artichoke pasta salad recipe.

Pesto and artichoke pasta salad on a plate.Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Risotto-Style Pea And Mint Orzo

This bright dish only takes 15 minutes to make. Chop mint and stir it in just before serving. Get this risotto-style pea and mint orzo recipe.

Risotto-style pea and mint orzo in a blue bowl topped with fresh mint for a post on an easy spring Risotto-style pea and mint orzo recipe(Photo: Angus Fergusson)

Greek pasta salad

Our pasta take on beloved Greek salad has a touch of assertive feta in a lower-fat creamy dressing, with crunchy cucumber, peppers and red onion. Get this Greek pasta salad recipe.

Greek pasta salad in a bowl.

Creamy herbed-tortellini salad

Tonight, toss cheese-filled tortellini in a delicious creamy-herb dressing. Get this creamy herbed-tortellini recipe.

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Creamy herbed-tortellini salad on a spoon.Photo, John Cullen.

Spicy sausage with dilled orzo

Most vegetables will work in this main-course salad–just be sure to cut them into small pieces. It’s great for entertaining, and tastes great warm or at room temperature. Get this spicy sausage with dilled orzo recipe.

Spicy sausage with dilled orzo in a bowl.

California crab and orzo salad

In this play on California rolls, orzo, crab, avocado and cucumber are all served up in a big bowl, duplicating the flavours of the sushi classic. Get this California crab and orzo salad recipe.

California crab and orzo salad in a bowl.

Mediterranean summer pasta salad

Tossed with romano beans, olives and parsley, this colourful pasta makes an impressive dish to go with any barbecue. Get this Mediterranean summer pasta salad recipe.

Mediterranean summer pasta salad made with fusili; 1 can romano beans, drained and rinsed; 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved; 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley' 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp chopped capers, drained; 2 tbsp red-wine vinegar; 2 tsp lemon zest; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/4 tsp salt in a white bowl with a spoon resting on it for a post on an easy Mediterranean summer pasta salad recipe(Photo: Angus Fergusson)

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