Grilling season and summertime menus call for lots of pasta salad, but do you know what to serve with cold pasta salad?! Burgers, chicken, corn on the cob ….everything tastes better with a cold pasta salad! I think that’s what I love the most about it – the versatility. It can be paired with so many different foods.
It’s also inexpensive, easy to make and can be prepared in advance to save you time. Bonus points.
And since it’s such a summertime fave, I thought I’d put together a list of ideas on what to serve with cold pasta salad. I hope it inspires you to think outside the box and get creative.
5 Tasty Ideas on What To Serve with Cold Pasta Salad
1. Grilled Meat – This is pretty much a given, right? If you’re not already cozying up your grilled burgers, steaks and BBQ chicken with a side of cold pasta salad, you’re missing out. Remember you can slice up some grilled chicken and toss it right into the pasta salad too. Grilled meat goes beautifully with traditional pasta salad flavors, but don’t overlook trying things like grilled salmon either!
2. Summer soups – Any light soup like gazpacho, summer squash or spring minestrone will pair wonderfully.
3. Fruit – Whether you serve it with fruit slices, fruit cups or a big fruit salad, it works. Add a crunchy loaf of bread, corn muffins or a cheese and cracker tray to round out the meal.
4. Sandwiches – Serve up finger sandwiches like pimento cheese, tomato basil and cucumber. Grilled panini sandwiches are also delicious with cold pasta salad.
5. Vegetables – Grilled corn on the cob is an absolute perfect pairing, but try things like baked sweet potatoes, asparagus, sliced tomatoes, broccoli, fried okra and baked beans too.
Confession: I don’t always make a homemade version of pasta salad. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
I’m so stinkin’ busy, and I don’t always have the time or want to spend the time, so I keep a couple of boxes of Suddenly Salad on hand. There are some darn good flavors, y’all and there are 6 grams of protein! (For those with allergies, it contains wheat, milk, and may contain egg and soy.)
With 4 servings per container, one is usually more than enough for me, but when having guests over, a double batch is sometimes in order.
Each package also includes stir-in ideas and a recipe too! Since it’s served cold, it can be prepared in advance. Love.
Summer is the perfect time to serve a cold pasta salad. Enjoy!
james jenkins says
May 26, 2015 at 11:56 pmSorry, the link goes to “ready, plan save” not “suddenly salad”. I would like the traditional Ranch flavor; my favorite.
Lily Kwan says
May 26, 2015 at 11:14 pmI would like to try the Ranch and Bacon flavor. I would make ribs to go with it.
Sand says
May 26, 2015 at 11:04 pmi would like to try the suddenly salad Chipotle ranch. It sounds good and would go with a lot of the things I grill.
Charlene Kuser says
May 26, 2015 at 11:01 pmI would make the Suddenly Pasta Salad™ Chipotle Ranch and serve it with grilled burgers
Brian E. says
May 26, 2015 at 10:47 pmThank You for the giveaway…I think the Suddenly Pasta Salad / Chipotle Ranch would be a great side dish to accompany barbecued chicken !
liz l says
May 26, 2015 at 10:25 pmMy husband said the pesto salad, hes alone on that choice- lol
amy deeter says
May 26, 2015 at 10:11 pmThe chicken pesto salad sounds so amazing to make. it would be a big hit at our house for sure
Tina Reynolds says
May 26, 2015 at 10:02 pmI think the creamy italian would be a hit with my family and friendsgo great with are burgers chops e
Mary Cloud says
May 26, 2015 at 9:20 pmI’d try the Southwestern Ranch Pasta Salad
Sherry Conrad says
May 26, 2015 at 6:32 pmI would like to try the Suddenly Salad with Ranch and Bacon. I think it would go great with ribs.
Samantha says
May 26, 2015 at 5:43 pmI would make the Tuscan Style Tomato Pasta Salad! It would be perfect for our housewarming party!
Michelle D says
May 26, 2015 at 3:18 pmThe chicken pesto salad sounds delicious and I’d love to try that. I think my family would really enjoy it.
Lisa L says
May 26, 2015 at 2:59 pmCreamy Italian would be great with burgers and hot dogs
Jenna D says
May 26, 2015 at 2:11 pmI would like to try the Suddenly Salad Creamy Macaroni, my kids are big pasta salad fans so no doubt it would go very quick!
Breanne says
May 26, 2015 at 12:57 pmI’d like to try the Chicken Pesto Salad.
Kim Keithline says
May 26, 2015 at 9:38 amI think I would make the Suddenly Salad Ranch Bacon for my next cookout my family loves those 2 ingredients so I think they would love this salad
Susan Smith says
May 25, 2015 at 9:32 pmI’d like to try the Suddenly Salad with Ranch and Bacon would be great to have as a side to hamburger and hotdogs at our BBQ’s this Summer.
Debbie Hinson says
May 25, 2015 at 6:40 pmI want to try the Ranch and Bacon . We would cook out burgers and Have the Suddenly Salad as a side.
Stephanie Larison says
May 25, 2015 at 5:40 pmI’d like to try the Southwestern Ranch Pasta Salad, yum! I’d pair it up with hamburgers.
Teresa says
May 25, 2015 at 3:12 pmI’d like to try the Suddenly Salad Chipotle Ranch with grilled sausage dogs and burgers at my barbecue.
Lisa V. says
May 25, 2015 at 8:10 amThe Suddenly Salad with ranch and bacon would be great to have as a side to burgers and chicken during a cookout.
Melanie says
May 24, 2015 at 11:11 pmWe love to turn Suddenly Salad into a main dish by adding chicken, tomatoes, and avocados to the Ranch and Bacon flavor. So good!
Megan Scharlau says
May 24, 2015 at 11:01 pmI’d like to try the classic pasta salad and make sandwiches with it at a picnic!
Becca says
May 24, 2015 at 8:28 pmI would love to try Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix to make Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes and Poppy Seed Dressing. The picture looks so delicious!
Judy maharrey says
May 24, 2015 at 3:49 pmI like the suddenly salad bacon and ranch, I fix it several times a month, but for my cookout I would make the classic.
Leela says
May 23, 2015 at 9:11 pmThe Suddenly Salad Classic with tomatoes, bacon, cucumbers and avocado.
Annmarie W. says
May 23, 2015 at 8:26 pmI’d love to use the Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix to make their Layered Mexican Party Salad! That would be fun to bring to any BBQ this summer!
Cori Westphal says
May 23, 2015 at 5:38 pmI’d like to make the Suddenly Salad® ranch & bacon pasta salad mix and serve it with some grilled burgers! Yum!
Teresa Moore says
May 23, 2015 at 9:01 amI would fix the Suddenly Salad with ranch and bacon. I would add some shredded cheese, fresh cut up tomatoes and chopped up fresh spinach to jazz it up.
vera says
May 22, 2015 at 10:33 pmSuddenly Pasta Salad™ Chipotle Ranch sounds good to me.
Laurie says
May 22, 2015 at 4:43 amOld el paso and I would make some burritos that would be tasty.
Danielle D says
May 21, 2015 at 12:43 amI would like to try the classic salad. It sounds nice.
Trisha Burgess says
May 19, 2015 at 11:14 pmI would love the creamy Italian for my cookout with hamburger and hotdogs!!
Seyma Shabbir says
May 19, 2015 at 10:17 pmI would love to try the Suddenly Salad Classic Pasta Salad!
Ashley C says
May 19, 2015 at 9:31 pmThe ranch & bacon variety is my families favorite! I also love to add fresh veggies to mine 🙂
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
beth shepherd says
May 19, 2015 at 9:20 pmI would love try the Ranch and Bacon. I would add some olives and chunks of cheddar. It would be so good!
Angela Saver says
May 19, 2015 at 8:21 pmI want to try Suddenly Pasta Salad Ranch and Bacon. For our cookout, I would barbecue hamburgers & hotdogs & serve Suddenly Salad with baked beans!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
Marty C. says
May 19, 2015 at 4:47 pmI’d try the Greek Suddenly Salad, and beef it up with fresh tomatoes, olives, cheese, basil and chicken for a summer main dish.
Linda Szymoniak says
May 19, 2015 at 3:58 pmI’m already a big fan of their Suddenly Pasta Salad Ranch and Bacon. I’d also like to try their Chipotle Ranch flavor.
sandra says
May 19, 2015 at 2:01 pmI want to try the Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Pasta Salad® Caesar pasta salad mix in the Chicken Pesto Salad recipe
Kristen says
May 19, 2015 at 2:47 amI’d make barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, pasta salad and lemonade.
Noelle d says
May 18, 2015 at 6:01 pmWe normally do that pasta with sandwiches… easy and delicious
Samantha Daleo says
May 18, 2015 at 4:40 pmI would like to try the Suddenly Pasta Salad™ Caesar to make a yummy Caesar pasta salad with some burgers for our next cook out.
breanna pollard says
May 18, 2015 at 4:30 pmI would like to try the Chipotle Ranch suddenly salad. I would pair it with a hamburger.
Pamela Gurganus says
May 18, 2015 at 4:30 pmThe product I’d like to try is the Suddenly Pasta Salad Ranch and Bacon. I would make this for my cookout along with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans and potato salad.
Stacy says
May 18, 2015 at 4:21 pmTBH, I would rather make my own pasta salad because I am vegan and do not eat a lot of the ingredients in the package. I eat pasta salad as a main dish, I just add lots of extra protein like chick peas and vegan bacon bits. However, I would love to try the new Suddenly Grain Salad™ – Harvest Grains because that one IS vegan!
Tiffany S says
May 18, 2015 at 4:07 pmI would like to try the Chipotle Ranch suddenly salad. I would also make chicken with it for a cookout.
Angelica says
May 18, 2015 at 1:17 pmI want to try the Suddenly Grain Salad™ – Southwest Grains. It looks delicious! I think I’d probably make a taco salad with it for my cookout. 🙂
Lindsey L says
May 18, 2015 at 11:25 amI want to try the original suddenly salad and I think it would go great with grilled chicken!
Holly E says
May 18, 2015 at 11:23 amI would love to try the Chipotle Ranch Salad. It sounds really tasty.
Laura J says
May 18, 2015 at 11:20 amI would love to try their Suddenly Salad® Caesar pasta salad mix and make their recipe for the Quick Antipasto Pasta Salad! That would go great with Brats and corn on the cob on the grill!
Candice says
May 18, 2015 at 10:54 amI would like to make the Suddenly Salad Southwest Grains flavor for my next get together.
kyl neusch says
May 18, 2015 at 10:43 amTry the creamy italian and have with some burgers with summer
melissa M says
May 18, 2015 at 10:11 amI love the ranch and bacon pasta. I make that all the time.
Alissa Apel says
May 18, 2015 at 10:00 amI’d like to try out the ranch and bacon pasta salad. I owe some people a get together. I need to have a BBQ, or a picnic. Either one would be fun!
Beth Hill says
May 18, 2015 at 9:31 amI would like to try the creamy italian and maybe add some salami in it, love to have this with burgers from the grill and corn on the cob!
Ashley C says
May 18, 2015 at 7:56 amI would love to try the ranch and bacon pasta salad. For my bbq I would also serve fruit salad, peach ice cream, smoked chicken breasts and baked beans!
Jennifer Rote says
May 18, 2015 at 7:44 amI’d like to try the Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® ranch & bacon pasta salad mix and try making the Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad. I’d serve it with burgers.
Jackie says
May 18, 2015 at 6:39 amI would like to make the Creamy Macaroni Salad
Thank you!
Cheryl says
May 18, 2015 at 5:03 amI’d like to try Suddenly Grain Salad – Harvest Grains. I’d like to make Southwestern Chicken and Macaroni Salad or Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad.
Lisa says
May 18, 2015 at 1:57 amI would make the Original Salad and serve it with hotdogs and hamburgers, a classic cookout!
Daniel Thornton says
May 18, 2015 at 12:07 amI would pick old elpaso refried beans. I would make tortillas with refried beans, cheese, avocado, tomato,
lettuce, seasoning mix. Refired beans are my favorite.
Carol says
May 17, 2015 at 11:37 pmI will make the Original salad.
Ty says
May 17, 2015 at 11:26 pmThe Greek tossed pasta salad looks like the perfect choice for warmer months.
Soha MOlina says
May 17, 2015 at 10:31 pmI will make the Original salad but add cucumbers and olives to it.
Christina says
May 17, 2015 at 9:37 pmI would love to try the creamy italian… we’d also make some grilled veggie kabobs
mycraftingworld says
May 17, 2015 at 8:58 pmI like to serve something hot with Suddenly Salad. We usually have hamburgers… we like the contrast.
Debra S says
May 17, 2015 at 7:38 pmI would probably do the suddenly salad classic. Alongside Terriyaki chicken.. because everyone asks for it, all the time. That and good old Burgers. Maybe some 7 layer salad too, since they beg for that, too.
Kelly Nicholson says
May 17, 2015 at 7:33 pmhow about old elpaso and a down home mexican fiesta at home…im down baby!
Karen R says
May 17, 2015 at 6:47 pmi like the Suddenly Salad Classic. I’d serve it with fresh corn, tomatoes, and tuna fish.
Lynda Del says
May 17, 2015 at 6:13 pmI’d like to try the Ranch with Bacon because I think it would serve as a great tasting addition for our BBQ cookouts.
Nancy Marcho says
May 17, 2015 at 6:11 pmI’d like to try the Suddenly Salad Caesar pasta salad and make the Grilled Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.
LaTanya says
May 17, 2015 at 5:02 pmI want to try the caesar salad and I would make the grilled chicken caesar pasta salad.
Rosie says
May 17, 2015 at 4:37 pmI’d love to make the Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix and make the Layered Mexican Party Salad. I always bring a big salad to cookouts, and it can be a big mess and production – this makes it easy and fast! and mot of all, delish!!!
Amanda Kinder says
May 17, 2015 at 4:27 pmI’d love to try the Chipotle Ranch. We have a lot of picnics in the summer, and I think this would be our new favorite side dish.
Nancy says
May 17, 2015 at 3:52 pmI’d serve their new Tuscan Grain Salad as a main dish salad by adding cold cooked chicken, sliced cherry tomatoes, and green and black olives to the basic salad. We’d have sliced watermelon for dessert and iced peppermint tea to drink.
Robin M says
May 17, 2015 at 3:04 pmI think I’d try the Ranch with Bacon, because how can you go wrong with bacon? I’d serve it with BBQ chicken.
Leigh Anne Borders says
May 17, 2015 at 2:23 pmWe love going to cookouts and having them. We love the Suddenly Salad classic. We even bring that to cookouts. We add a little bacon to it.
denise says
May 17, 2015 at 1:42 pmYour link sends me to Publix. I googled Suddenly Salad and I think I would like to try the Ranch and Bacon. I have had Suddenly Salad before but not for a long time. I would probably bring that to a cookout.
Sandy Klocinski says
May 17, 2015 at 1:39 pmI would like to try Suddenly Grain Salad™ – Harvest Grains. I would serve it with a cool melon soup made with cantaloupe, a colorful mix of raw vegetables with hummus and grilled chicken
Holly Thomas says
May 17, 2015 at 12:36 pmI use the Classic one and add chicken and shrimp.
Mary Jacobowitz says
May 17, 2015 at 12:11 pmI would make the Suddenly Grain Salad™ – Tuscan Grains as a side and serve it with BBQ chicken .
james doyle says
May 17, 2015 at 12:08 pmFirst, I LOVE salad 🙂 I couldn’t live without it! I would LOVE the Ranch Suddenly Salad. Ranch is one of my favorite dressings 🙂 You guys rock, thanks!!!
Kimberly M. says
May 17, 2015 at 11:47 amOur favorite is the Bacon Ranch. I sometimes add a fresh diced up Avocado to it or in some of the other salads different ingredients like tomato, cheese, etc. They are great the way they are but if you want you can mix them up a bit. We serve this salad with anything from grilled fish or chicken to cheeseburgers or chicken salad sandwiches. It pretty much goes with anything.
Cathy French says
May 17, 2015 at 11:11 amI love the original suddenly salad and I like to add chunks of mozzerella, olives and tomatoes to mine. Goes great with a grilled steak and corn
Barbara Montag says
May 17, 2015 at 10:59 amI would like to try the Chipotle Ranch flavor.
I’d pair it with a simple green salad.
thank you
Heather in VA says
May 17, 2015 at 10:29 amI absolutely love the Ranch Suddenly Salad. It always has the flavor I try to make homemade but can never get. I especially like it with grilled chicken.
Lauren says
May 17, 2015 at 10:09 amI would like to make the Chipotle Ranch Suddenly Salad. I would serve it with grilled chicken.
Ann Fantom says
May 17, 2015 at 9:31 amI would like to try the “Classic” Suddenly Salad. I would make the Tabbouleh Pasta Salad recipe.
D Schmidt says
May 17, 2015 at 9:28 amVisited and I would love to try the Caesar variety and add some chicken/cheese.
Yona Williams says
May 17, 2015 at 8:58 amI’ve seen this at the stores before, but have never used Suddenly Salad before. I would make their Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad for a cookout.
Jackie says
May 17, 2015 at 8:48 amI would like to try the Cream Macaroni Salad
Thank you!
Julie Murphy says
May 17, 2015 at 8:38 amI get stand up tacos shells and make chicken tacos.
Natalie says
May 17, 2015 at 6:55 amI am hosting a BBQ soon and I would love to make the layered curry pasta salad.
Annette says
May 17, 2015 at 6:48 amI’d love to make the Bloody Mary Shrimp and Pasta Salad recipe using the classic pasta salad mix.
Mary Burris says
May 17, 2015 at 4:27 amI’d get the El Paso Beans, and make a dip for chips and crackers, to go along with my Suddenly Salad at the family picnic/bbq
Tina W says
May 17, 2015 at 3:34 amI would love to try the Harvest Grains Suddenly Salad for a different side dish with chicken.
Tiffanie Hope says
May 17, 2015 at 1:36 amI’m really picky about salads/pasta salads, but I do LOVE me some Caesar salad! I would try the Suddenly Pasta Salad™ Caesar, and for my cookout I’d have to go with cheesy hamburgers and bratwursts!!!!
Wendy R. says
May 17, 2015 at 12:43 amI’d add lots of fresh veggies like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes to my pasta salad and serve with some bbq chicken.
Stephanie Galbraith says
May 17, 2015 at 12:36 amI would get the Old El Paso Beans, and make tacos.
Brittney House says
May 17, 2015 at 12:05 amI would like to try the Italian Pasta Salad. I would pair it with some bbq meats.
cheryl s says
May 16, 2015 at 9:33 pmI’d choose the bacon and ranch salad – it would be good with a cook out of hamburgers and hotdogs
HS says
May 16, 2015 at 8:35 pmI’d like to try Suddenly Pasta Salad Classic and make Greek Tossed Pasta Salad for my cookout.
heather s says
May 16, 2015 at 7:00 pmI would get the suddenly salads italian salad and add black olives to it. It would go great with sandwiches or chicken.
shelly peterson says
May 16, 2015 at 6:43 pmwould make the Ranch and Bacon salad. I would grill up some steaks.
Geoff K says
May 16, 2015 at 5:52 pmI’d try to Old El Paso refried beans and serve them with Mexican Grilled Corn on the Cob for my next party.
Margaret Smith says
May 16, 2015 at 4:15 pmI’d like to make the Suddenly Salad Caesar pasta salad and add cooked chicken in it. This would make a delicious and easy summer lunch or dinner.
Amanda Sakovitz says
May 16, 2015 at 3:34 pmI would like to try the chipotle ranch suddenly salad and i would add some sausage to it
GINA STEVENS says
May 16, 2015 at 2:52 pmI would like to try Suddenly Grain Salad- Southwest Grains. I would make BBQ ribs and potato salad for our cookout.
Rebecca Parsons says
May 16, 2015 at 2:04 pmMy favorite is the Italian Pasta Salad. It is my go to for family side dishes in the summer.