Easy Pasta Salad Recipes

This is easy and can be eaten as a side dish or main dish. If I'm making it as a main dish I sometimes add chicken, low fat salami or feta cheese (all not included in the calorie count).

I prefer to make it the night before and let it sit in the fridge overnight to allow the pasta to soak up all the flavors.

Really Really Good, easy to make

light summer meal

You can use any vegetables or pasta you like for this recipe. Kids especially love this salad made with spaghetti!

Saw a recipe VERY similar to this and decided to modify it a bit. Added it here to track my calories. Would've LOVED Mrs. Dash Chipotle!

I should have used light mayo, and as usual, half mayo and half fat free sour cream, but I didn't have any so I used whole mayo.

Still not so bad if a meal.

Start with a boxed pasta salad and add canned chicken for a complete meal with protein and celery for extra vegetables.

This is really good and really easy. People go nuts for it at parties, and my daughter loves to have it packed in her school lunches.
You can use any shape of whole wheat pasta.
(My favorite is Trader Joes Multi-Grain Penne with ground flaxseed.)

An easy pasta salad that's low in fat

Yummy, healthy, & perfect for a summer party!

This dish is great for pot-luck dinners -- make the night before to let the flavors blend. Also easy to turn into an entree salad, add diced chicken breast for a light summer meal.

Use leftover wheat spaghetti to create this yummy treat

Real quick meal or side

Quick, easy and really a great summer dish!

Quick to make, cool and refreshing to eat.

I originally made this as "trail food" while camping, but it works well for a busy, cooking-impaired college student. Make with whole-wheat pasta for extra fiber, but this way is gluten-free.

I made this pasta salad reciple, because my mom makes the BEST pasta salad ever! (and sticking with my diet, I try not to eat it) But this is a better, healthier way to make almost the same thing she makes.

Super fast and easy - you can add so many of your own preferences... kidney beans, cheese, etc.

Great with supper or to throw in a container for lunch - make this whole recipe and it last a couple of days.

This is from a weight watchers meeting back in 1996. I make this a lot for lunches with friends. Sometimes I'll substitute shrimp for the chicken. Or I'll add more veggies, such as red bell peppers or snow pea pods (add pea pods just before serving. They lose flavor and color if left long in marinade).

Great pasta salad that is very filling.

Chop tomatoes up how you prefer them, use the whole tomato. Use one whole can of mushrooms, pieces and stems. Mix all ingredients together after cooking the pasta and rinsing if off with cold water. You can choose to chill it first or serve right away. Delicious either way! Mix it up, at some onions or any of your other fruits or vegetables. Sprinkle a little pepper and garlic powder to your liking. Enjoy!