14 Simple Summer Salad Recipes

Summer is the season of juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and sweet, ripe fruits, making it the perfect time to whip up some colorful and delicious salads. Whether you’re planning a sunny picnic, firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue, or just looking for a light and refreshing meal, I’ve got 14 incredible summer salad recipes that are sure to hit the spot.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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Get ready to savor the ultimate summer pasta salad – Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! This dish is loaded with tender pasta, juicy diced chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy French Fried Onions, and a rich, creamy Ranch dressing that ties it all together. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser for BBQs, potlucks, summer get-togethers, or a relaxed picnic in the sun!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Mexican Macaroni Salad

A white bowl filled with creamy macaroni pasta, kidney beans, and chopped green vegetables on a red and white checkered cloth. A bottle of Tabasco sauce is partially visible. — Mexican Macaroni Salad . Photo credit: The Real Life of Lulu.

Mexican Macaroni Salad is a crowd-pleasing favorite! This flavorful pasta salad is packed with colorful chopped veggies and tossed in a zesty taco seasoning dressing. It’s a surefire hit for potlucks, family gatherings, or any festive occasion where delicious food is a must!
Get the Recipe: Mexican Macaroni Salad

Roasted Potato Salad

Close-up of a potato salad with herbs, cucumber, and a creamy dressing, served on a white plate. — Roasted Potato Salad . Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

This Roasted Potato Salad bursts with vibrant flavors and irresistible textures! Tossed with a homemade dressing, fresh herbs, and topped with crunchy pistachios, it’s a delicious twist on a classic side dish that’s sure to impress at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potato Salad

Lemony Greek Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad with feta cheese, sliced olives, chopped red onion, and yellow peppers, with a wooden spoon. — Lemony Greek Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Moon and Spoon and Yum.

Whipping up this zesty Greek Pasta Salad couldn’t be easier! With your favorite pasta, a tangy Greek salad dressing, and a handful of simple, fresh ingredients, you’ll have a flavorful dish that’s sure to become a go-to favorite.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Greek Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, croutons, lettuce, shredded cheese, and chunks of chicken on a wooden table. — Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Pumpkin n Spice.

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a quick and flavorful dish you can whip up in under 30 minutes! Crisp romaine lettuce, tender pasta, juicy chicken, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese come together in a creamy, zesty Caesar dressing. Light yet satisfying, it’s the perfect choice for an easy and delicious weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Ceasar Pasta Salad

Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad

This zesty Greek Pasta Salad is as easy to make as it is delicious! With your favorite pasta, a vibrant Greek salad dressing, and a handful of fresh, simple ingredients, you can quickly whip up one of my all-time favorite pasta dishes.
Get the Recipe: Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad

Greek Potato Salad With Feta

Get ready to fall in love with this Greek Potato Salad! Made with tender new potatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy feta, briny olives, and a handful of fresh herbs, it’s all tied together with the easiest lemon vinaigrette. Light, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, it’s the perfect choice for a refreshing summer lunch or a satisfying light dinner!
Get the Recipe: Greek Potato Salad With Feta

Pesto Tortellini Salad

This Pesto Tortellini Salad is a summer favorite that comes together in just 15 minutes! Perfect on its own for a quick lunch or dinner, or paired with your favorite protein like grilled chicken or salmon. It’s also a crowd-pleasing side dish that’s ideal for summer garden parties and BBQs. Fresh, flavorful, and oh-so-easy!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Broccoli and Tomato Pasta Salad

Looking for the ultimate pasta salad to bring to your next picnic, potluck, or backyard barbecue? Pasta salads are the go-to summer side dish, pairing perfectly with all your favorite seasonal meals!
Get the Recipe: Broccoli and Tomato Pasta Salad

Marry Me Pasta Salad

A white bowl filled with creamy potato salad, garnished with sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped green onions, sits on a striped cloth. — Marry Me Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Marry Me Pasta Salad brings the creamy, indulgent flavors of the beloved Marry Me Chicken into a hearty, refreshing salad. Think cheesy tortellini, juicy fresh tomatoes, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all tossed together in a luscious, flavor-packed dressing. It’s cheesy, tangy, and completely irresistible!
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Pasta Salad

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

A white plate filled with bowtie pasta, cherry tomatoes, and chopped green herbs, with a blurred window in the background. — Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: This Wife Cooks.

All the fresh, vibrant flavors of a classic Caprese salad come together in this simple, crowd-pleasing pasta dish! It’s easy to make and guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

Cucumber Ranch Pasta Salad

Pasta shell salad with sliced cucumbers, red onions, fresh parsley, and a creamy dressing served on a white plate. — Cucumber Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: This Wife Cooks.

Chilled pasta salad tossed in a creamy ranch dressing with crunchy cucumbers, zesty red onion, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. It’s refreshing, simple to make, and the perfect side dish for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Ranch Pasta Salad

Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad

A glass bowl filled with tri-color rotini pasta, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, and crumbled cheese. — Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Bless This Meal.

Say goodbye to boring pasta salads and try this Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad instead! Juicy, marinated shrimp is pan-fried with pesto and a mix of flavorful spices, then served over colorful garden rotini and fresh veggies. This Mediterranean-inspired dish is vibrant, healthy, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for meal prepping work or school lunches or serving up a delicious dinner tonight!
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad

Bacon Egg Pasta Salad

A bowl of potato salad with sliced hard-boiled eggs and chopped herbs on top sits on a white countertop next to a wooden spoon and a green-striped towel. — Bacon Egg Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Binky’s Culinary Carnival.

This potato salad with bacon and eggs is a breeze to whip up and always a crowd-pleaser! It’s one of those recipes everyone asks for at potlucks. Curious about what makes it so special? Keep reading to discover my secret!
Get the Recipe: Bacon Egg Pasta Salad