Healthy Pasta Salad Recipes

Find healthy, delicious pasta salad recipes including tortellini salad, Greek pasta salad and low-calorie pasta salad. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Most Popular

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Rating: 5 stars 2
You might not think to use hummus as a pasta sauce, but the creamy dip makes the perfect backdrop to the bold flavors of this healthy Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad.
Sara Haas Headshot
By Sara Haas, RDN

Chicken with Spinach & Tomato Orzo Salad

Rating: 4.5 stars 10
Baked chicken breasts cook in the oven while you mix together a Mediterranean-inspired salad--packed with veggies, whole-wheat orzo and an easy homemade vinaigrette--for a weekend-worthy dinner on the table in under an hour. The leftovers from this healthy 400-calorie meal make a delicious packable lunch for the next day.
By Carolyn Casner

Cucumber Pasta Salad

Rating: 5 stars 2
This light and tangy cucumber pasta salad is fresh and bright. The orecchiette pasta holds the dressing for flavor in every bite, but you can use another small pasta shape if you like. This easy salad is perfect for a warm day or to serve as a lunch dish for company! For a fruitier flavor, try apple-cider vinegar in place of white distilled vinegar.
By Sarah Epperson

Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing

Rating: 4.5 stars 9
Everyone will love this pasta salad recipe that's packed with tomatoes, corn and black beans. We lighten up the creamy dressing with avocado for a healthier version of a picnic favorite.
A portrait of Breana Killeen, M.P.H., RD
By Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Pasta Salad

Rating: 5 stars 2
Serve this colorful, veggie-packed pasta salad at your next outdoor gathering. From creamy avocado to crunchy bell peppers, this pasta salad is full of texture and flavor. A homemade herb-lime vinaigrette ties everything together.
Sophie Johnson
By Sophie Johnson

Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

Rating: 5 stars 1
This cold pesto pasta salad will cool you off on a summer day. Fresh tomatoes and roasted red peppers add a pop of bright color and juiciness here, but any of your favorite pasta-salad veggies, like blanched broccoli and fresh bell peppers, would be delicious too.
By Adam Dolge

Caprese Pasta Salad

Rating: 5 stars 1
This light and fresh caprese pasta salad is brought together with a bright and tangy dressing, with fresh mozzarella pearls adding creaminess to every bite.
Pam Lolley headshot
By Pam Lolley

Couscous & Chickpea Salad

Cooked couscous and canned chickpeas come together in this quick lunch salad. The basil vinaigrette makes it taste anything but basic! When in season, we recommend adding fresh chopped tomatoes for a spin on tabbouleh.
Katie Webster
By Katie Webster

Tortellini Salad

Rating: 4.5 stars 5
A tomato-rich dressing boosts the flavor and lowers calories and fat in this tortellini salad (the dressing is also great on green salads or grilled fish). Roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes add a good dose of vitamins A, C and fiber.
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By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Mediterranean Broccoli Pasta Salad

Rating: 5 stars 5
We've loaded this healthy pasta salad with vegetables and flavors of the Mediterranean. Sun-dried tomatoes and a touch of lemon zest jazz up the dressing, while tender-crisp broccoli florets cook alongside the pasta, making assembly (and cleanup!) a breeze.
By Karen Rankin

Creamy Tomato, Cucumber & Feta Pasta Salad

Enjoy this veggie-packed pasta salad at your next picnic or backyard get-together. Cucumbers and fennel provide crunch to contrast the creamy feta and Kalamata olives. A tangy herb-buttermilk dressing completes the dish.
By Sophie Johnson

Easy Tomato & Balsamic Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad is packed with fresh flavor from tomatoes, basil and balsamic vinegar. It takes just 10 minutes to make and while you could eat it right away, it tastes even better the longer it sits, so plan to leave at least an hour of marinating time before serving. Make a batch to have for lunch this week, serve it alongside a healthy protein source for dinner or bring it to your next potluck.
By Andrea Mathis, M.A., RDN, LD
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Inspiration and Ideas

16 Pasta Salads You'll Want to Make All Summer Long
Pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser when it comes to summer meals.
10 Creamy Pasta Salad Recipes
These creamy pasta salad recipes are the perfect addition to any picnic or potluck. We use a combination of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt or avocado to create a creamy dressing for these pasta salads. Recipes like Pesto Pasta Salad and Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing are delicious, bold and a great side dish.
Macaroni Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
Rating: 5 stars 2

Give classic pasta salad a fresher, more flavorful spin. This fast pasta dish calls for avocado to replace some of the mayonnaise, which makes it extra creamy. Whole-wheat elbow macaroni and fresh vegetables lighten up this healthy pasta salad that you'll be making all summer long.