Pasta salads are a fantastic addition to any meal, particularly when paired with the right dishes.
Whether you’re grilling out with friends, hosting a potluck, or simply enjoying a family dinner, these main dishes, sides, and desserts will go with pasta salad to create a well-rounded, crowd-pleasing plate.
Here are links to the best and most reliable recipes to pair with the pasta.
Best Main Dish Meals to Serve with Pasta Salad
When it comes to BBQs and outdoor gatherings, a well-balanced meal is key. Pasta salads are filling and delicious, but they shine even more when paired with the right main dish. Here are some of the best options:
Grilled Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers
A classic BBQ favorite, grilled hamburgers are a perfect match for a creamy or tangy pasta salad.
Pair with these recipes:
- Hamburgers in the oven
- Big Mac Sliders
Chicken Sandwiches
Pulled or grilled BBQ chicken sandwiches, smothered in tangy barbecue sauce, are another excellent pairing. The smoky, savory flavors of the chicken complement the freshness of pasta salad dressing, making it a match made in heaven.
Pair with these recipes:
- Classic Chicken Salad
- Chicken Club Sandwich
- Juicy Chicken 101
Grilled Hot Dogs and Sausages
Hot dogs and sausages are staples at any grill-out, and go with nearly everything. Whether you prefer a simple hot dog or mini sausages, you won’t be left disappointed. Plus hot dogs are quick and can be made on the grill, stove, or microwave.
Pair with these recipes:
- Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Sliders
These mini sandwiches can be made with a variety of fillings, such as juicy beef patties, crispy chicken, or even left vegetarian. Their small size makes them easy to pair with more filling sides and offer a bellyful in a tiny package.
Pair with these recipes:
- Chopped Italian Sliders
- Meatball Sliders
- Caprese Sliders
- One sheet sliders
Best Complementary Side Dishes for Pasta Salad
To round out the meal, you’ll want to serve extra side dishes that complement both the pasta salad and the main dish. Here are some great options:
Fruit Salads: A simple fruit salad with seasonal fruits can brighten up the meal, and as a bonus are almost always grandma-proof and kid friendly.
Pair with these recipes:
- All berries fruit salad
- Dreamsicle fruit salad
- Grilled pineapple salad
- Old Fashioned Fruit Salad with canned cherries
- Melon Ball Fruit Salad
Raw Vegetables and Dips: You do not always need to bake or make complicated sides. Crisp, fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and sliced colored bell peppers are perfect for dipping in a creamy BBQ ranch dressing or layered Greek hummus alongside pasta salads.
Pair with these recipes:
- Queso
- Fiesta Corn Dip
- Crack Dip
Coleslaw Recipes: A crisp, tangy coleslaw is a classic BBQ side is a great choice. There are a ton of ways to make coleslaw as well down to a creamy base or a tangy base.
Pair with these recipes:
- Classic Coleslaw
- Hawaiian Coleslaw
- Salsa Coleslaw
Potato Chips or French Fries
For a more casual setting, serve your pasta salad with bags of potato chips or French fries. Personally I like to just follow the instructions on the fry bag for the air fryer. They come out crispy and take very little time.
Desserts That Go Great with Pasta Salad
No meal is complete without a sweet ending to sum up the meal. Here are some dessert ideas for the party:
- Fluff Salads: Sweet and fluffy salads like ambrosia with cool whip, Watergate, or basically any flavor fruit fluffs are both sweet and light.
- Brownies and Cookies: For a more casual dessert option, a tray of brownies and cookies are a great choice. You can typically order this from a deli department at a grocery store like Publix and keep it easy.
- Ice Cream Sundaes: While this has to be served at the end of the meal, on a hot summer day, nothing beats a classic banana split. You can make a whole table with offering a variety of toppings like homemade hot fudge, sprinkles, fresh strawberry sauce topping, and whipped cream so guests can customize their desserts.
No matter whether you are serving a large Thanksgiving spread or just working up pasta salad recipes for the summer, there really is no wrong way to serve up a meal.
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