Easy Cold Pasta Salad Recipe
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Need a delicious cold pasta salad that can be an all-in-one meal? This is our favorite recipe!
I can’t tell you how many years I’ve wanted to post this cold pasta salad recipe. Literally, every time I make it, I completely forget to take any pictures! Until today, that is!
We’ve been making this cold salad for years; it is my kids’ favorite summer lunch. I love it because it’s so easy, I can make it ahead of time, and I can customize it based on what I have on hand.
All you need is the ingredients to the dressing, the rest can all be custom to what you have on hand. Here’s how we make it!
Cold Pasta Salad Ingredients
Here are some of our favorite ingredients to put in. I usually don’t have all on hand so I just add what I have. At least 1/2 – 1 cup of each item is good.
- Chopped Red Onion
- Peas
- Pickles or Pickled Peppers
- Chopped Peppers
- Black or Green Olives
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Salami
- Summer Sausage
- Ham
- Mozzarella Cheese Balls
- Chopped Cucumbers
- Cooked Pasta (we use spiral noodles)
Like I said, you can really customize this and add what you have! As you can see from the photos, I didn’t have all of this when I made it this time. I do like to add at least 5 or so different things to give it good flavor. The dressing recipe will follow below.
Cold Pasta Salad Instructions
Cook your noodles earlier than you plan to make them. It works best if they are cool or room temperature by the time you mix the dressing. You will want to make one pound of pasta per dressing recipe. I always use spiral-shaped noodles, but you may be able to use another kind.
Once the pasta is room temperature, add all of your other chopped ingredients. Whatever you like!
Mix the dressing (I like to mix it in a pint jar, put a lid on it, and shake it until it’s combined). Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
Refrigerate until ready to serve. This is good leftover and makes a big batch!
Cold Pasta Salad Notes
I wanted to include a few more notes on making this. You can leave out the meat and the cheese if you have lots of veggies and want to make it more frugal. I always add some kind of meat (even leftover ham!), but I don’t always add cheese.
You can use gluten-free pasta in this (that’s what I’m using in the pictures). That way this salad can be gluten-free and dairy-free if needed!
Easy Cold Pasta Salad Recipe
This super easy cold pasta salad can be customized based on what you have on hand!
Ingredients
Possible Salad Ingredients
- Chopped Red Onion
- Peas
- Pickles or Pickled Peppers
- Chopped Peppers
- Black or Green Olives
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Roasted Red Peppers
- Salami
- Summer Sausage
- Ham
- Mozzarella Cheese Balls
- Chopped Cucumbers
- 1 lb Cooked Pasta we use spiral noodles
Dressing
- 3/4 cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Vinegar I've used both balsalmic and red wine vinegar. We like both!
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon dried Basil
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon dried Oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
-
Cook your noodles earlier than you plan to make them. It works best if they are cool or room temperature by the time you mix the dressing. You will want to make one pound of pasta per dressing recipe. I always use spiral-shaped noodles, but you may be able to use another kind.
-
Once the pasta is room temperature, add all of your other chopped ingredients. Whatever you like!
-
Mix the dressing (I like to mix it in a pint jar, put a lid on it, and shake it until it’s combined). Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
-
Refrigerate until ready to serve. This is good leftover and makes a big batch!
Recipe Notes
I wanted to include a few more notes on making this. You can leave out the meat and the cheese if you have lots of veggies and want to make it more frugal. I always add some kind of meat (even leftover ham!), but I don’t always add cheese.
You can use gluten-free pasta in this (that’s what I’m using in the pictures). That way this salad can be gluten-free and dairy-free if needed!
Like I said, you can really customize this and add what you have! As you can see from the photos, I didn’t have all of this when I made it this time. I do like to add at least 5 or so different things to give it good flavor.
More Salad Recipes
- Easy 3 Ingredient Fruit Salad
- Simple Summer Salad Recipes
- Classic Egg Salad Recipe
- Old Fashioned Potato Salad Recipe
- Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing Recipe
Merissa Alink
Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.
This Cold Pasta Salad recipe was originally posted on Little House Living in July 2024. It has been updated as of July 2025.
I use Olive Garden dressing and shredded cheese instead of mozzarella and no pickles. It’s a family favorite with broccoli and cauliflower in it.
Besides pasta, the one ingredient that is a MUST in my pasta salads (passed down from my mom), is McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning. I found a copycat recipe, and make it with organic/better ingredients. The flavor it adds is unmatched.