45 Pasta Salad Recipes That Will Make You the Envy of the Cookout

From light and healthy to creamy and indulgent, we have pasta salads fit for every summer side dish craving you might encounter. There's only one question left: Which will you make first?

Best Easy Italian Pasta Salad: The trick here is to slice the salami pretty thick so that those savory chunks of meat are roughly the same size as the olives and cheese and balance out their flavors. Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.

Summer Corn, Tomato, and Tortellini Pasta Salad: Toothsome tortellini, tender tomatoes, and crunchy cucumber are the perfect companions for sweet summer corn in this celebration of the season's best flavors. Get the recipe from Celebrating Sweets.

Zucchini and Orzo Salad with Chimichurri: This cilantro-based sauce makes everything from steak to shrimp taste fresh and light, and it will do wonders for your summer cookout pasta side dish! Get the recipe from Budget Bytes.

Crispy Bacon and Grilled Corn Pasta Salad: This recipe is easy enough to whip together for a last-minute get-together and complex enough to keep you coming back for more, which will earn it a regular spot in your kitchen. Get the recipe from How Sweet It Is.

Macaroni Salad with Smoked Mozzarella and Proscuitto: However you spin this recipe for your own summer cookout, don't swap out the shells! Consider them little pasta packages that capture pockets of deliciousness. Get the recipe from Foodie Crush.

Creamy Cucumber Pasta Salad: The crunchy veggie brings a nice contrast to this pasta salad as well as plenty of low-cal filling fiber--so you don't have to feel guilty about going back for a second helping. Get the recipe from Spend with Pennies.

Caesar Macaroni Salad: Creamy Caesar dressing and one seriously healthy helping of grated Parmesan cheese lend this pasta salad an indulgent feel touch that will make you feel downright spoiled. Get the recipe from Chocolate Moosey.

Easy Tex-Mex Pasta Salad: What really takes this pasta salad over the top is chopped fresh cilantro, so don't you dare settled for the dried stuff if you want your pasta flavors to pop. Get the recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Orzo Pasta Salad: The shape of these tiny pieces of pasta is an easy and surprisingly fun twist on the classic cookout side dish that will inspire others to follow in your footsteps and choose the oft-ignored noodle. Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.

Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad: Never choose between the two classic cookout sides again thanks to this combination of potato and pasta salad that brings the fresh summer flavor thanks to a healthy dose of basil. Get the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

Greek Pasta Salad: You'll love how sweet, crunchy bell pepper, salty feta, and tangy kalamata olives work in perfect harmony to transport you to the Mediterranean bite after delicious bite. Get the recipe from The Lemon Bowl.

Caesar Pasta Salad: Half salad, half classic cookout side, this is the perfect dish for when you want to indulge a little without feeling too guilty about it. After all, there's plenty of lettuce and tomatoes in there! Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

5-Ingredient Pesto Pasta Salad: This recipe proves why presto is such a solid choice as the sauce for your side dish: You can keep ingredients simple and still pack in plenty of flavor! Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

BLT Avocado Pasta Salad: Swapping out some mayo and using healthy avocado instead gives you plenty of wiggle room to add in a little extra bacon if you like--we know we will! Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.

Greek Chicken Pasta Salad: With tender chunks of chicken, this cookout side dish easily transforms into a weekday lunch with the addition of some salad greens. Get the recipe from Budget Bytes.

Mexican Tortellini Salad: Just because these pasta pieces are Italian doesn't mean you have to stick with that flavor palate. Take a cue from this blogger and mix and match spices for a bold new take on pasta salad. Get the recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod.

BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad: We never considered that maybe pasta salad was missing a crunch factor, but this blogger did and added deliciously inspired Fritos to the mix for a dish that will make your mouth water. Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Bruschetta Pasta Salad: This classic side dish doesn't have to weigh you down, especially when you have this recipe in your arsenal. Bright, fresh flavors keep the whole thing light but still satisfying. Get the recipe from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs.

Pizza Pasta Salad: Mini pepperoni and sliced black olives provide much-needed pops of salty flavor in your cookout side dish, and the chunks of cheese are a more than welcome addition. Get the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

Mexican Pasta Salad: This is one side dish you can easily turn into a full meal thanks to its hearty ingredients and bold, satisfying spices. Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.

Perfect Pasta Salad: This blogger keeps all the different ingredients in hefty chunks in this side dish--and we love it! Every bite feels heartier and more satisfying as the flavors mix. Get the recipe from Love Grows Wild.

Strawberry-Avocado Pasta Salad: Strawberries in your pasta salad might sound unusual, but paired with crumbles of goat cheese, they provide just the right amount of sweetness. Get the recipe from Diethood.

Classic Italian Pasta Salad: This hearty, toothsome side dish has just the right balance of chopped veggies and al dente pasta to make your taste buds and your waistline happy. Get the recipe from I Wash, You Dry.

Spinach-Artichoke Pasta Salad: You deserve to treat yourself to an indulgence, and this creamy, cheesy, carb-filled side dish is the perfect way to do it all summer long. Get the recipe from Spend with Pennies.

BLT Pasta Salad: Trying to taste everything at the cookout? Then whip up this half-salad half-pasta salad side dish that lightens things up so you can go back for more. Get the recipe from Life In the Lofthouse.

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad: Sweet, tangy, and studded with pieces of savory pork, this side dish is like the classic pizza and your pasta salad met--and the resulting new dish is a knock-out. Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad: The trick to getting the best taste and texture with this side dish is to crumble the feta cheese into super-fine bits, so that they coat the pasta completely when you mix it together. Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.

Bowtie Chicken Caesar Salad: Let's face it, the best part of the Caesar salad is the dressing and the chicken, so this blogger took those parts and amped up the whole side dish with plenty of tasty pasta. Get the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

Broccoli, Bacon, Ranch Pasta Salad: Little shells ensure that each and every bite of this irresistible side dish is filled with a little sauce and at least one piece of bacon--now that's a good deal! Get the recipe from Julia's Album.

Ridiculously Amazing Asian Ramen Salad: You'll love this fun spin on the classic pasta salad--and your guests will be begging you for the recipe by the time the cookout's over. Get the recipe from Table for Two.

Pesto Tortellini Salad: Although this salad already conjures the Mediterranean, we suggest taking it over the top by adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the mix as well. Get the recipe from Life In the Lofthouse.

Caprese Pasta Salad: The last thing you want on a hot summer day is a pasta salad that feels heavy; this one fills you up without weighing you down thanks to its fresh summer flavors. Get the recipe from Pip and Ebby.

Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad: You've seen it before, but when you have a good recipe, you don't just give it up. Rediscover this classic cookout side dish with plenty of garlic and paprika to keep things fresh and new. Get the recipe from Recipe Girl.

Mediterranean Tortellini Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette: Skip the mayo and go with this bright vinaigrette-spiked salad instead. It doesn't skimp on flavor! Get the recipe from Joanne Eats Well with Others.

Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: If you're going to go with an indulgent cookout side dish, why not go whole hog and add Ranch, bacon, AND a creamy sauce? It's the pasta salad trifecta! Get the recipe from This Gal Cooks.

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad: Before you turn up your nose at these heartier veggies, keep in mind that they stand up to thick dressings better so that--even after transport--you don't show up with a soggy salad. Get the recipe from Chef In Training.

Peas and Shells Pesto Pasta Salad: Pesto is one of those sauces that really shines all on its own, which is why this bloggers keeps things simple to let the basil and pinenut flavors come through. Get the recipe from Slim Sanity.

Chicken Penne Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing: Make sure to buy penne with little ridges on the sides! This helps the pasta hold onto that delicious dressing for a flavor-packed bite every time. Get the recipe from Creme de la Crumb.

Cilantro Lime Southwestern Pasta Salad: If you take all the taco fillings you know and love, chopped them up, and tossed them with pasta instead of inside a tortilla, you get this bold and tasty salad. Get the recipe from Mom On Timeout.

Lightened Up Greek Pasta Salad: Don't let a mayo- or cheese-laden side dish derail your summer diet. This pasta salad dishes up salty feta cheese without blowing your calorie budget. Get the recipe from Blackberry Babe.

BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad: This one's so hearty and delicious that you just might decide to upgrade it from side dish to entree after you take your first bite. Get the recipe from Fake Ginger.

Kale Caesar Pasta Salad: Mixing a classic salad and a pasta salad is a genius idea that we can't get enough of. Plus, a healthy dusting of grated Parmesan cheese never hurt anything! Get the recipe from Foodie Crush.

Tzatziki Pasta Salad: This Greek sauce's base is yogurt, so you'll get all the creamy texture of mayo-based pasta salads without all the calories and fat that come along for the ride. Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Healthy Southwest Pasta Salad: Pair this pasta salad recipe with a side of grilled or barbecued protein, and you've got yourself a fresh and filling meal that will stop you from sneaking dessert seconds. Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

Roasted Tomato Caprese Pasta Salad: The bright summer salad gets delicious new depth when you gently roast the tomatoes to intensify their flavor. Get the recipe from Fork, Knife, Swoon.

NEXT: 12 One-Pot Pastas the Whole Family Will DEVOUR