You're Sick Of Your Old Pasta Salad Recipe, So Get A New One Already

Take it easy on the mayo and you'll be all good.

When it comes to summer grilling, there are a few dishes that always have a place at the table. Pasta salad is one of them. Despite the fact that most pasta salads aren't something we actually want to eat -- they're an unfortunate mixture of too much mayo and a bowl of overdone macaroni -- we still dig in every time. We still crave it, associate it with summer and never turn it down, no matter how unappetizing it may look.

So what's going on here? Why are we settling for a mediocre staple when pasta salad done right can be so good? We think it's high time people took a step back and put some thought and effort into their pasta salad. This familiar side is begging for a makeover and we think we owe it to everyone to listen. Fortunately, it doesn't require too much creativity to assemble a much better pasta salad than the mayonnaise-drenched ones you're used to. With so many kinds of pasta noodles and the bounty of vegetables summer has laid at our feet, the way forward for you is practically bursting with possibilities; the hardest part isn't choosing what ingredients to use for your makeover, but which ones not use.

Let's take back pasta salad, guys. Here are some recipes to help get you started.

1
Half Baked Harvest
Everything But The Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad
2
Foodie Crush
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
Get the Kale Caesar Pasta Salad recipe from Foodie Crush
3
Gimme Some Oven
Lemony Artichoke Pasta Salad
Get the Lemony Artichoke Pasta Salad recipe from Gimme Some Oven
4
Simply Recipes
Pesto Pasta Salad
Get the Pesto Pasta Salad recipe from Simply Recieps
5
How Sweet It Is
Goat Cheese And Arugula Pasta Salad
Get the Goat Cheese and Arugula Pasta Salad recipe from How Sweet It Is
6
Half Baked Harvest
Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad
Get the Basil Goat Cheese Pasta Salad recipe from Half Baked Harvest
7
Foodie Crush
Macaroni Salad With Smoked Mozzarella and Prosciutto
8
Pinch of Yum
Best Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Get the Best Easy Italian Pasta Salad recipe from Pinch of Yum
9
A Spicy Perspective
Pasta With Peas, Smoked Almonds And Dill
Get the Pasta with Peas Smoked Almonds and Dill recipe by A Spicy Perspective
10
Gimme Some Oven
Pizza Pasta Salad
Get the Pizza Pasta Salad recipe from Gimme Some Oven
11
A Beautiful Mess
Creamy Winter Pasta Salad
Get the Creamy Winter Pasta Salad recipe from A Beautiful Mess
12
How Sweet It Is
Smoky Heirloom Tomato And Grilled Peach Pasta Salad With Basil Vinaigrette
13
The Clever Carrot
Whole Wheat Pasta Salad With Feta And Pea Shoots
14
Half Baked Harvest
Greek Lemon Roasted Broccoli Pasta Salad
Get the Greek Lemon Roasted Broccoli Pasta Salad recipe from Half Baked Harvest
15
Gimme Some Oven
Veggie Lovers' Pasta Salad
Get the Veggie Lovers' Pasta Salad recipe from Gimme Some Oven
16
Simply Recipes
Pasta Salad With Corn, Bacon And Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
17
Foodie Crush
Whole Wheat Greek Pasta Salad
Get the Whole Wheat Greek Pasta Salad recipe from Foodie Crush
18
Half Baked Harvest
Strawberry Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad
Get the Strawberry Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad recipe from Half Baked Harvest
19
Laura Bolton for Fork Knife Swoon
Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Cucumber and Feta
Get the Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Cucumber and Feta recipe from Laura Bolton for Fork Knife Swoon
20
Gimme Some Oven
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe from Gimme Some Oven
21
Cooking Classy
Classic Macaroni Salad
Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe from Cooking Classy
22
A Beautiful Mess
Broccoli Pasta Salad
Get the Broccoli Pasta Salad recipe from A Beautiful Mess

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