10 Creamy Pasta Salads for Summer

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad on a serving dish
Photo: Brie Passano

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 pasta salad recipes that have perfected the ratio of pasta, add-ins, and just the right creamy dressing to pull all the ingredients together.

01 of 11

Italian Confetti Pasta Salad

Italian Confetti Pasta Salad
cookingbug

Rave Review: "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

02 of 11

Shrimp Pasta Salad with a Creamy Lemon Dressing

Shrimp Pasta Salad with a Creamy Lemon Dressing
Photo by lutzflcat.

Rave Review: "It was the best Allrecipes meal that I made all week! We loved it and will definitely make it again." – kfolberg

03 of 11

Amelia's Tuna Macaroni Salad

tuna macaroni salad in a metal bowl
KGora

Rave Review: "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

04 of 11

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Chicken Club Pasta Salad
Photo by Christina.

Rave Review: "Excellent dressing for the pasta & flexible for any leftover proteins. The family demolished this!" — Kopita11

05 of 11

Macaroni Salad with Pickles

a serving of macaroni salad made with chopped celery and red bell pepper shown on a green plate, photographed at a slight angle
momlovestocook

Rave Review: "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

06 of 11

Springtime Pasta Salad

Springtime Pasta Salad
Photo by AuntE.

Rave Review: "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.

07 of 11

Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad

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

08 of 11

Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad

big bowl of Mexican pasta salad with fusilli pasta, corn, peppers, olives, and creamy dressing
Monte McCallister

"Your family and friends will love this zesty pasta salad. A surprising change from traditional pasta salads." – JOSLYN H.

09 of 11

American Italian Pasta Salad

American Italian Pasta Salad
Photo by CookinBug.

Rave Review: "Honestly, the best creamy pasta salad. Fresh parsley and the dry Italian dressing mix are definitely the key ingredients." – CMIKUS

10 of 11

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad on a serving dish
Brie Passano

Rave Review: "Hands down the best pasta salad in the galaxy! My husband had it for BREAKFAST the next day!" — Elizabeth

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.

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