Who wants to spend a hot summer day cooking in the kitchen? Not us! With these kid-friendly pasta salad ideas, there’s no need to cook or worry about what to make for dinner or bring to the family gathering. From caprese to Greek-inspired, bookmark these pasta salad recipes for all those hot summer nights ahead.
If you’re looking for more summer dinner ideas, check out our favorite no-cook dinner ideas, the best grilling recipes, slow cooker chicken recipes perfect for summer, and the best Trader Joe’s foods to take to the cookout.
BLT Pasta Salad
Bacon, lettuce, and tomato plus pasta? We are SO in! This BLT pasta salad recipe from Budget Bytes is simple to make, uses spinach instead of lettuce (less wilting is a bonus), and uses ranch dressing to top it off.
Kid-Friendly Greek Pasta Salad
Plain Chicken‘s Greek pasta salad recipe is packed with flavor, which makes it perfect for a potluck or dinner at home. Fresh ingredients like tomato, basil, and lemon juice make this kid-friendly pasta salad a crowd pleasure and will transport you straight to Greece!
Strawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad
This summer pasta salad from Recipe Runner is a perfect quick dinner idea. It’s a little sweet, a little tangy, and filled with protein. If you’ve got extra-picky eaters, separate everything and give them a dipping cup of dressing to try on the side.
Kid-Friendly Tri-Color Pasta Salad
This go-to kid-friendly pasta salad recipe is as easy as it comes. You can use cheese, olives, cucumber, or any other assortment of veggies. You can even swap regular pasta for tortellini. Get the recipe here.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
What do you get when you combine pasta and Caesar salad? This dish from Life Made Simple! It’s loaded with all the classic flavors you expect—crisp romaine, pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and lots of cheese.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese is a great way to entice little ones to eat fresh veggies! Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil come together with the pasta shape of your choice in this recipe from Pip & Debby. You can't go wrong with this kid-friendly pasta salad, especially if you add chicken.
Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
Oh, my, orzo! Here's why this pasta salad is a thing of beauty: it only has a few ingredients, the flavors are fresh and summery, and it's delicious cold or at room temperature. Add it as a barbecue side or serve it as the main course! Get the recipe here.
Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Do your little ones love pizza? Then this dish from Dear Crissy is sure to be an instant hit! It's got the all-important pepperoni, and you can customize it with additional "toppings" that usually grace your 'za.
Garden Veggie Tortellini Pasta Salad
Tortellini is a kid favorite, so why not take a cue from Peas and Crayons and turn it into a delicious cold salad? Toss with homemade dressing and healthy veggies of your child's choice, and you're all set!
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Looking for the most flavorful pasta salad around? Dive into this dish from Chelsea's Messy Apron, which has tons of veggies, an adaptable chili-lime dressing, and tons of summer corn! While this might not be a top hit with the kids, we couldn't help but include it because, trust us, the adults will want seconds.
Related: New Trader Joe’s Summer Products We’re Obsessed With
Nut-Free Basil Pesto Pasta
Pass the pesto! This nut-free sauce makes any pasta salad delicious and can be paired with all the additional ingredients you want. (Veggies? Cheese? Both?) It's a cinch to make—get the recipe here.
Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad
Bring on the broccoli with this dish from Boulder Locavore! Kids will love the hearty sausage and the zesty dressing that takes the place of mayo in this recipe.
Thai Chicken Pasta Salad
Amp up an average summer barbecue! This pasta salad recipe from I Wash You Dry sports crisp veggies and a creamy, flavorful sauce. Bonus: It calls for ramen noodles and rotisserie chicken—no muss, no fuss!
Poppy Seed Chicken and Grape Pasta Salad
Does your kiddo love grapes? Then it's time to bust out this great pasta salad recipe from Cooking Classy. It has a slightly sweet dressing and is a refreshing addition to a summer picnic. Note: if you have young children, cut the grapes into fourths.
Spaghetti Salad
Chances are you have spaghetti in the pantry—and this idea from Dinner at the Zoo is the perfect use for it! It's also filled with crunchy vegetables for an extra healthy kick.
Gluten-Free Picnic Macaroni Salad
Prepping for a picnic? Don't forget this gluten-free dish from Boulder Locavore! It's just like the old-school pasta salad you had when you were a kid and even sports healthy twists like grated carrots.
Meat Lovers Pasta Salad
This deli-inspired salad from The View from Great Island is a great way to please the meat lovers in your family. You can also customize it with whatever meats you have in the fridge for an extra easy summer meal.
