10 Pasta Salads to Perk up Your Weekday Lunch

a ceramic bowl filled with macaroni salad flecked with pesto, bocconcini, and halved cherry tomatoes, garnished with a fresh basil sprig
Photo: Buckwheat Queen

Switch out your boring weekday lunch for a vibrant pasta salad with fresh ingredients and amazing flavor. There's no limit to what you can incorporate into your pasta salad; black beans, bacon, avocado, and asparagus are all delicious additions in these cold, creamy offerings. Shake up your routine and make one of our 10 mouthwatering lunch pasta salads this week.

01 of 10

Lemony Dill Salmon Pasta Salad

closeup of dill salmon pasta salad
thedailygourmet

This bright, tangy pasta salad is bursting with seafood flavor. Chopped fresh dill and capers add a unique deliciousness to each bite of this lemon-dressed dish.

02 of 10

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Melissa Goff

"I wanted to try my own ranch pasta salad instead of buying the boxed kind and I love it!" says home cook winnie05. "I omitted the black olives and reduced the bacon to six pieces and even my pickiest eater loved it. I will definitely share this recipe and make again."

03 of 10

Magnificent Macaroni Salad

Magnificent Macaroni Salad
Photo by ReneePaj.

Celery seed, vinegar, and minced onion give this macaroni salad a comforting, savory quality that's perfect for lunchtime cravings. Make ahead and chill well for maximum flavor.

04 of 10

Black Bean and Couscous Salad

Black Bean and Couscous Salad
plantgrub

This top-rated pasta salad recipe has dynamic Southwestern flavor without the fuss. Beans, corn, bell peppers, and onions are tossed with a vinegar-lime dressing before being added to to tender, fluffy couscous.

05 of 10

Spinach Pasta Salad

portrait spinach pasta salad
SunnyDaysNora

Farfalle, spinach, and feta cheese combine for a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad with the fresh taste of quality ingredients. Toss salad with dressing, lemon juice, and garlic salt before chilling for an unbelievably good lunch.

06 of 10

Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad

Pesto, grape tomatoes, and mozzarella balls make this delightfully fresh pasta salad a winner with home cooks. Assemble, toss, and enjoy in just 20 minutes.

07 of 10

Avocado Cucumber Pasta Salad

avocado cucumber pasta salad

Tri-colored rotini joins cucumbers, tomatoes, and Italian dressing for a tangy lunch dish. Black olives and Parmesan cheese give this colorful salad a nice saltiness that is balanced with the creamy fat of avocado slices.

08 of 10

Easy Tuna Pasta Salad

pasta salad with tuna, olives, and boiled egg halves
Matthew Francis

Create a filling tuna pasta salad with a host of garden-fresh veggies. Chopped green olives, red onion, and peas add color and delicious snap to this recipe that's ready in just 35 minutes.

09 of 10

Tortellini-Asparagus Salad

tortellini asparagus salad

"This recipe is a keeper," says reviewer Elsie Moyer. "I will definitely make it again. My hubby & mother-in-law loved it. It's easy & quick. I used fresh basil as I have a plant just outside and I prefer using fresh herbs when I can."

10 of 10

Salami Lover's Italian Pasta Salad

Salami Lover's Italian Pasta Salad
Salami Lover's Italian Pasta Salad | Photo by CookinBug. CookinBug

Toss cubed salami, olives, and creamy salad dressing together for a cool, delicious lunchtime meal. Go with a spicy salami for a more robust, edgy flavor.

Was this page helpful?
You’ll Also Love