17 Pasta Salad Combos That Totally Work (Even If They Shouldn’t)
Pasta salad is the ultimate playground for weird-but-good flavor combos. These recipes mix unexpected ingredients that somehow make perfect sense once you take a bite.
Each one skips the tired basics and leans into bold textures, sweet-savory hits, and dressings that actually hold up. They’re fast, fresh, and just chaotic enough to work.
Tuna Mac Salad
This Macaroni Tuna Salad is a great recipe for potlucks. It only takes a few minutes to make, and is loaded with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and dill. Garnish it with hard-boiled eggs, herbs, and edible flowers, like nasturtiums. Get the Recipe: Macaroni Tuna Salad.
BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT Pasta Salad is an easy, delicious side dish for summer picnics and cookouts on the patio or for a dish to pass at your next gathering. It can be finished in the time it takes to boil the pasta, and everyone will love it. Use fresh cherry tomatoes from your garden in this recipe.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad.
Macaroni Salad with Tuna
This Macaroni Tuna Salad is a great recipe for potlucks. It only takes a few minutes to make, and is loaded with fresh herbs like chives, parsley, and dill. Garnish it with hard-boiled eggs, herbs, and edible flowers, like nasturtiums.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad with Tuna.
Dill Pasta Salad
This dill pasta salad is a breeze to make and perfect for potlucks and picnics. This fresh salad is packed with tons of fresh flavor.
Get The Recipe: Dill Pasta Salad.
Caprese Pasta Salad
This easy Caprese pasta salad recipe takes a classic summer dish and adds an Italian twist with basil, tomatoes and bite-sized balls of mozzarella.
Get The Recipe: Easy Caprese Pasta Salad – In the Kitch.
Easy Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
Deviled egg macaroni salad is a simple side dish that is made with tender pasta, mayonnaise, hard boiled eggs, relish, and more.
Get The Recipe: Easy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad.
Marry Me Tortellini Pasta Salad
Marry Me Cold Tortellini Pasta Salad takes all the rich, creamy flavors you love from the famous Marry Me Chicken and turns them into a cold, hearty salad. It’s parmesan cheesy, tangy, and packed with
Get The Recipe: Marry Me Cold Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Italian Pasta Salad
Italian pasta salad comes together in just a few minutes. Rotini coated in Italian dressing and loaded with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.
Get The Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad.
Moms Pasta Salad
Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a simple, flavorful dish for any occasion. Tender pasta coated in Italian dressing with any veggies desired!
Get The Recipe: Easy Italian Pasta Salad – The Cookin Chicks.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a tasty pasta salad combining shredded chicken, crispy bacon crumbles, cheese and creamy ranch dressing!
Get The Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad- The Cookin’ Chicks.
Macaroni Tuna Salad
Discover a delicious Tuna Macaroni Salad recipe that’s perfect for meal prep, featuring creamy dressing and fresh vegetables for a satisfying, refreshing dish.
Get The Recipe: Easy Macaroni Tuna Salad (Cold Pasta Salad Recipe).
Taco Pasta Salad
This vibrant taco pasta salad blends all the ingredients of a classic taco salad with a creamy Mexican-style dressed pasta.
Get The Recipe: Taco Pasta Salad – In the Kitch.
Easy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
This easy Hawaiian macaroni salad is creamy, sweet and tangy. It’s made with a few simple ingredients and is perfect for BBQs and potlucks.
Get The Recipe: Easy Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe.
Taco Pasta Salad
This Taco Pasta Salad combines the flavors of a classic taco with the versatility of pasta. Perfect for a summer cookout or an easy dinner!
Get The Recipe: Taco Pasta Salad – The Cookin Chicks.
Grandma Hunts Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad
Classic Cucumber Tomato Salad with a sweet and tangy dressing made with simple pantry ingredients. Super easy recipe made in under 10 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad.
Tuna Pesto Pasta
This flavorful Tuna Pesto Pasta Salad is packed with protein and fiber, and comes together in just 20 minutes. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a
Get The Recipe: Tuna Pesto Pasta.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad With Ham
Creamy Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with Ham is a mouthwatering dinner salad recipe that you’ll crave all summer long. This easy street corn pasta
Get The Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with Ham.
The 12 Best 9×13 Cakes for When You Need Dessert Without the Fuss
A 9×13 cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion, offering a simple way to feed a crowd without the hassle. These cakes are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a go-to for family gatherings, potlucks, or just because. With a variety of recipes to choose from, each one is designed to impress and satisfy every sweet craving. Get ready to enjoy the ultimate 9×13 cakes that are as delicious as they are simple.
Get the Recipes: 9×13 Cakes.
These Layer Cakes Taste Like Sunshine and Long Weekends
Layer cakes aren’t just dessert—they’re a full-blown event. Tall, dramatic, and packed with flavor, these cakes bring serious wow without needing bakery skills. Each slice shows off thick layers, rich fillings, and just the right amount of frosting. They’re the kind of cakes people can’t stop staring at, then ask for seconds before they finish their first bite. These recipes don’t play it safe, and that’s exactly why everyone’s obsessed.
Get the Recipes: Layer Cakes.
Dinner in 30 Minutes That Aren’t Chicken or Boring
When time is tight and you’re looking for something quick, these 30-minute meals are the answer. Packed with flavor and made without chicken, these recipes offer a delicious variety of options to keep your meals exciting. Perfect for busy nights, these dishes will have you fed in no time without sacrificing taste. Enjoy simple yet satisfying meals that everyone will love!
Get the Recipes: 30-Minute Dinners That Aren’t Chicken.
19 Potluck Desserts That Go Way Beyond the Cookie Tray
Cookies always show up at potlucks, but they’re not the only crowd-pleasing option. These desserts break the mold with bars, cakes, no-bake wonders, and creamy classics that keep people coming back for more. Every dish is easy to share, simple to make, and built to travel. You won’t find any cookies here. Just bold flavors, fun textures, and guaranteed clean plates.
Get the Recipes: 19 Potluck Desserts That Go Way Beyond the Cookie Tray.
