Perfect Pasta Side Dishes for July 4th

These 10 pasta salads are the perfect combination side salad recipes for your upcoming potluck or picnic holiday. From sweet to savory, try all our pasta favorites by clicking the links below on your favorite! And no worries, all of these pasta side dishes for July 4th are crowd-pleasers that everyone will eat up, leaving nothing for leftovers! Whether you like spicy, tangy, or slightly sweet, there is something for everyone on this list. 

The best things about July 4th are all the parties with family and friends, the fireworks, and the food. I love it when we all get together and bring our best recipes to share. If you love bringing family-sized foods to share too, then I have 10 perfect potluck pasta recipes that won’t disappoint. 

You can make all of these pasta salads a few days in advance and store them in your refrigerator until the party. These pasta salads pair perfectly with almost all types of cookout foods, including my Mexican street corn and black bean and corn salsa.  I would serve with fried chicken, steak on the grill or pulled pork for an amazing lunch. 

10 Perfect Pasta Side Dishes for July 4th 

Are you looking for a family-friendly side dish that is perfect for cookouts or July 4th parties?

Pasta salads come in every shape and size. You will find something for everyone on this list.

Browse all the pasta salad recipes, click through, and discover something that will feed everyone without stressing you out or costing you too much. 

1. Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

This Italian pasta salad is an incredibly easy side dish. It’s so easy to make, that it’s a summertime cookout staple. You can either use zesty Italian dressy or a creamy base. Then, just mix in your favorite meats. Lots of people love salami or pepperoni, but you can even use shrimp and crab to round out some great protiens. 

Find the recipe here. 

2. Amish Macaroni Salad

My Amish Macaroni salad is a time-tested favorite. It has just the right amount of crunch from the celery and burst of tangy mustard goodness. The classicly sweet dressing for this salad can be used on other salads too, so keep this recipe handy.

Find the recipe here. 

3. Vegetarian Pasta Salad

If you or your family members are vegetarians, then whip up a batch of this fresh pasta salad that is perfect with all its crunch vegetables. The dressing is made with mayonnaise and milk, which makes it extremely creamy. Fill this up with all your favorite raw vegetables and dig in! 

Find the recipe here.  

 

4. BLT Pasta Salad

Nothing is more summertime than a BLT! Crispy, fried bacon, crunchy lettuce, and fresh, juicy tomato. I put all of this perfection into a pasta salad and it is unbelievably amazing. I used mini shell pasta, but you can use bow-tie pasta too. And oh, those tomatoes!

Find the recipe here. 

5. Old Fashioned Macaroni Salad

You know those recipes that remind you of your childhood? This macaroni salad is that recipe. The mayo, mustard, garlic, and onion are all classic combinations that help this salad outlast the test of time. You’ll pass this recipe onto your kids and their kids too. It’s that good. 

Find the recipe here. 

 

6. Ranch Pasta Salad with Peas

Ranch is one of those flavors that almost belongs at cookouts and picnics. And if the flavor of tangy ranch isn’t enough, this salad also has crispy bacon on it. And everything is better with bacon! 

Find the recipe here. 

 

7. Tuna Pasta Salad

This tuna pasta salad tastes even better the next day. Make it ahead of time and you’ll have the most popular side dish at the cookout. Trust me, don’t leave out the matchstick carrots. They give this salad the perfect amount of crunch! 

Find the recipe here. 

8. Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

The secret to this bacon ranch pasta salad recipe is the addition of tart black olives. They pair perfectly with the salty ranch dressing and crispy bacon. It’s an unforgettable combination that you won’t be able to stop eating. 

Find the recipe here.  

9. Classic Macaroni Salad

What makes something a classic? It’s something that was passed down from generation to generation and still just as popular each year. My classic macaroni salad is one that I’ve seen at countless potlucks and cookouts. It’s the perfect party side dish. 

Find the recipe here. 

 

10. Mandarin Salad with Chicken and Pasta

Finally, the Mandarin salad is a complete meal in one dish. It’s a creative recipe. So if you want to break out of the norm and try something new, whip up a batch of this. The sweet oranges, hearty chicken, and salty dry onion soup mix all balance and fill this salad with addicting flavor.

Find the recipe here. 

How to Prep Salads for Independence Day Picnics

If you are short on time, there are a few things you can do to make meal-time prep, specifically with salads, go faster. Just follow these tips and you’ll be able to mix up your salad recipes in no time at all- getting you out the door and to the party or event. 

• Buy pre-chopped veggies. They are worth the investment, it saves you so much time. I especially like to buy pre-cut carrot chips, mushrooms, onions and green onions all cut up. Other good options are broccoli and cauliflower, which come in tinier florets.
• Do all your prep a day in advance. Store your chopped veggies in baggies or plastic containers. They will be ready when you need them. 
• Pre-cook the meat. You can always purchase a rotisserie chicken too. It saves you time from cooking the meat. 

Cheap Pasta Salads That Feed a Crowd 

The best thing about pasta salads is how much you can make at such a low price. You can literally feed the entire party for less than the cost of one meal at a restaurant. Pasta is one of the least expensive ingredients and also the most popular. Kids and adults all love it! So whip up a pasta side dish for your July 4th party.

You’ll be so glad you did!