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Home » Recipes » Snack Recipes

Late Summer Pasta Salad

summer pasta salad in a bowl
A delicious late summer pasta salad, marinated in a tasty tangy yet sweet dressing with all the flavors of summer.
Prep Time :10 minutes mins
Cook Time :10 minutes mins
Total Time :20 minutes mins
Servings :8
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side view of a large bowl of summer pasta salad

Published: Apr 30, 2023 · Modified: Jun 11, 2025 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

This late summer pasta salad is delicious, filling and super easy to make. Using all the flavors of late summer ingredients, you can throw this together for any potluck or barbecue party you might be going to.

pasta salad with serving utensils scooping
Late Summer Pasta Salad

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I like putting this salad together for any get together, it's super tasty and I have yet to find someone that doesn't like it.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • Other salad recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Late Summer Pasta Salad
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • It's very fast to make, you can have it all ready in 15 minutes.
  • It holds up in the refrigerator very well. In fact, it tastes better after a day or two of marinating with the dressing.
  • This dish is a perfect way to use up a lot of fresh produce.
  • Delicious pasta recipes are perfect for summer days.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

ingredients for summer pasta salad all laid out
  • Cooked pasta
  • Frozen Sweet Corn, thawed
  • Cherry tomatoes (juicy tomatoes)
  • Feta Cheese
  • Yellow bell pepper
  • Carrot
  • Red Onion
  • Radishes
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Pickles
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Sugar
  • Sour Cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

recipe steps showing how to make a summer pasta salad
  • Step 1: Cook pasta per package directions (to al dente) in salted water, drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Step 2: Chop all the vegetables to required size.
  • Step 3: Add to a large mixing bowl.
  • Step 4: Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickles, parsley, dijon mustard, garlic and sugar to a small mixing bowl and mix with a small whisk.
white dressing being poured onto a pasta salad
  • Step 5: Pour this dressing over the salad and mix using salad utensils.

Hint: make sure to shock the pasta right after cooking under cold water. It will stop the cooking process and not leave you with overcooked pasta. At the same time it will wash away any excess starch.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Olive Oil - some people like to use an olive oil based dressing.
  • Fresh Herbs - sprinkle/season with some fresh herbs.
  • Red pepper flakes - add a little kick to the pasta salad by adding some red pepper flakes.
  • Pine nuts - adding pine nuts can be a great way to add some texture to this dish.
  • Fresh mozzarella - swap out the feta cheese for some fresh mozzarella, goat cheese or even Mexican Cotija.
  • Pesto sauce - try using a pesto sauce based dressing instead.
  • Red Bell Pepper - adds a little sweetness.
  • Fresh Basil - if you're lucky enough to have some in your yard, sometimes this can add a nice pop to this easy pasta salad.
  • Parmesan Cheese - or pecorino romano cheese will add another flavor dimension.
  • Grilled Chicken - add some grilled chicken or even some Italian sausage to make this a meal unto itself.
  • Deviled Eggs - change things up - a great way when you're wondering what to do with leftover deviled eggs.
side view of a bowl of pasta salad

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Necessary gear: Equipment

You'll need a pot to boil the pasta in and a large salad bowl with serving utensils. I have a few affiliate links in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Other salad recipes I think you'll love

  • overhead shot of tuna pasta salad
  • a close up image of a large bowl of Cajun potato salad with green onions sprinkled on top
  • A bowl of salad with apples and red onions and cranberries with a spoon on the side
  • Overhead cropped in shot of a bowl of cranberry pecan chicken salad.
  • Tuna Pasta Salad
  • Cajun Potato Salad
  • Apple Cranberry Salad
  • Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
  • Pesto Dressing
  • Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
  • Cracker Barrel Kale Salad
  • Ruby Tuesday Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
  • KFC Macaroni Salad Recipe
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Elotes Pasta Salad

How to store leftovers

This late summer pasta salad holds up well in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

It doesn't freeze well though.

Mel's kitchen notes

Using simple ingredients that are freshly available during late summer is the best way to make this salad. It is very flexible in the vegetables added - just depends on the time of year.

dished out summer pasta salad with a fork digging in

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

What does pasta salad go with?

Anything off the grill. This is why it's the perfect side dish for a barbecue or potluck.

Should I salt the water for pasta salad?

Yes, cook the pasta per the package instructions, adding a little salt to a large pot of water.

Should you put oil in pasta water?

No, this is a myth. What makes the pasta stick together is if you do not stir it enough during cooking or don't use enough water.
Also, rinsing the starch away after cooking and shocking the pasta is enough. If you oil the water that will leave the noodles slippery and it will be hard for the dressing to coat the noodles.


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summer pasta salad in a bowl
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Late Summer Pasta Salad

A delicious late summer pasta salad, marinated in a tasty tangy yet sweet dressing with all the flavors of summer.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Servings: 8
Cuisine: Salads
Author: Melanie Cagle
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Equipment

  • Salad utensils
  • Salad Serving Bowl

Ingredients

Salad

  • 8 Ounces Cavatappi Pasta
  • ½ Cup Red Onion sliced
  • 1 Each Yellow Bell Pepper chopped
  • 1 Cup Grape Tomatoes sliced in half
  • 1 Each Carrots peeled and julienned
  • ½ Cup Whole Kernel Corn
  • ½ Cup Radishes sliced
  • ½ Cup Feta Cheese crumbled
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh Parsley chopped

Dressing

  • ¾ Cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ Cup Sour Cream
  • 2 Tablespoons Sweet Pickles diced
  • 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • 2 Cloves Garlic minced

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta per the package instructions. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water so the the noodles don’t overcook.
    8 Ounces Cavatappi Pasta
  • Chop the red onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, carrot and radishes. 
    ½ Cup Red Onion, 1 Each Yellow Bell Pepper, 1 Cup Grape Tomatoes, 1 Each Carrots, ½ Cup Radishes
  • Place all the salad ingredients into a large bowl and set aside.
    ½ Cup Whole Kernel Corn, ½ Cup Feta Cheese, 2 Tablespoons fresh Parsley
  • In a small mixing bowl add the mayonnaise, sour cream, sweet pickles, apple cider vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and garlic and mix well with a small whisk.
    ¾ Cup Mayonnaise, ¼ Cup Sour Cream, 2 Tablespoons Sweet Pickles, 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tablespoon Granulated Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard, ¼ teaspoon Salt, 2 Cloves Garlic
  • Pour all over the salad ingredients then take salad utensils and mix into the salad until all the noodles and ingredients have been evenly coated with the dressing.
  • Serve.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 394mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g

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Filed Under: Lunch Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Pasta Salad Recipes, Salad Recipes, Side Recipes, Snack Recipes

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