3 Crowd-Pleasing Pasta Salad Recipes You Can Prep Ahead

These are the last pasta salad recipes you’ll need this summer!

Salads have spent years quietly sitting on the sidelines, but Leigh Anne Wilkes shared an idea that moves any salad from side dish… to the main event!

Leigh Anne’s favorite way to do that? Add pasta! Just one easy ingredient turns any traditional salad into a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal.

Here are three pasta salad recipes that are perfect for summer entertaining, family dinners, or potlucks. Bonus: they’re all easy to prep ahead and scale for a crowd.

Spinach Pasta Salad

A crowd favorite with chicken, crunch, and a tangy-sweet dressing.

“This salad is always a hit—I once served it to a group of 450 women and was inundated with recipe requests! It’s inexpensive, stretches easily (just add more spinach), and makes a complete meal thanks to the added chicken (or swap in shrimp)!” – Leigh Anne Wilkes

Leigh Anne’s Advice:

• Cook pasta al dente so it holds up in the marinade.
• Marinate pasta in half the dressing overnight to absorb flavor.
• Prep ahead: Cook the chicken, chop veggies, toast nuts, and blend dressing in advance.
• Add dressing + pasta right before serving for best texture.

Serves: 6
Prep: 15 min | Marinate: 1 hr+

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz bowtie pasta, cooked al dente
• 10 oz bag spinach
• 1 cup craisins
• 2 (11 oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 (5 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 2–3 green onions, chopped
• 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1 cup peanuts
• 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed

Dressing

• 1 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2/3 cup white vinegar
• 6 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

METHOD

1. Blend dressing in a blender. Set aside 1/2 cup.
2. Toss cooked pasta with remaining dressing and marinate in a zip-top bag for at least 2 hours (overnight is better).
3. Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
4. Add pasta and marinade. Toss gently.
5. Drizzle in reserved dressing as needed and serve.

Caesar Pasta Salad

A garlicky, creamy take on a classic Caesar—with pasta power!

Leigh Anne’s Advice:

• Marinate pasta in half the dressing for two hours or overnight.
• Use fresh grated Parmesan and quality greens like romaine, spinach, or butter lettuce.
• Add chicken or shrimp to round it out to a full meal.

Serves: 4
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 25 min

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp honey dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• Pinch of sugar
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 lb farfalle (bowtie) pasta
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 8 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, butter, etc.)
• 1 1/2 cups peeled, quartered cucumbers

METHOD

1. In a food processor, blend vinegar, mustard, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper, and olive oil until smooth.
2. Cook pasta al dente and drain well.
3. Toss half the dressing with pasta; refrigerate in a sealed container for 2 hours or overnight.
4. Combine salad ingredients, add pasta, and toss with remaining dressing.
5. Season to taste and serve.

Broccoli Pasta Salad

Leigh Anne’s Advice:

• Make ahead – dressing, bacon, and chopped veggies can be prepped days in advance.
• Chill pasta before combining to keep everything crisp.
• Add crunchy elements last to keep them fresh.

Serves: 8
Prep: 30 min | Chill: 2 hrs

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz bowtie pasta
• 1 lb fresh broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 2 cups grapes, halved
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

METHOD

1. Cook pasta, rinse in cold water, and refrigerate.
2. In a bowl, mix mayo, sugar, vinegar, and salt.
3. Combine broccoli, onion, grapes, and pasta.
4. Pour dressing over the mixture and toss.
5. Chill for 2–3 hours.
6. Add bacon, sunflower seeds, and pecans right before serving.

Find more recipes from Leigh Anne on Instagram, @yourhomebasedmom, or on her website, yourhomebasedmom.com.