3 easy pasta salads for a picnic: ready in 15 minutes

Bright, filling and simple to pack, pasta salad is the summer staple that never disappoints. Below are three fresh spins on the classic: a crunchy farfalle salad with feta, an Italian-inspired tomato and mozzarella mix, and a hearty fusilli BLT with crispy bacon. Each recipe is quick to assemble and ideal for picnics, work lunches, or lazy backyard meals.

Farfalle with Fresh Vegetables and Feta — Ingredients for a light summer pasta salad

What you’ll need

• 350 g farfalle pasta
• 150 g feta, cubed
• 100 g soybean sprouts
• 100 g walnut halves, roughly chopped
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 bunch radishes, sliced
• ½ bunch fresh dill, finely chopped
• 2 lemons (zest and juice)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Easy steps to prepare the farfalle salad

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add about 20 g coarse salt.
2. Cook the farfalle until al dente, according to the package time.
3. Drain and transfer the hot pasta to a large bowl. Toss with a little olive oil to stop sticking.
4. Let the pasta cool slightly before adding the raw vegetables and cheese.
5. In a small bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon juice and zest, chopped dill, and the remaining olive oil. Season well.
6. Fold the cucumber, radish slices, soybean sprouts and feta into the cooled pasta.
7. Add the chopped walnuts and pour the lemon-dill dressing over the salad.
8. Mingle gently so flavors coat the pasta, then chill until serving.

Italian-Style Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Pesto — Ingredients for an authentic caprese-inspired dish

Shopping list

• 400 g short pasta (penne, fusilli, or similar)
• 250 g mozzarella (buffalo or cow) cut into cubes
• 6 ripe tomatoes, diced
• 2 handfuls green olives, sliced
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tsp dried oregano
• 4 tsp pesto
• 1 garlic clove, left whole for mild infusion
• 2 handfuls arugula (rocket)
• Salt to taste

How to assemble the Italian pasta salad

1. Place the diced tomatoes in a bowl, sprinkle with salt and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Add the whole garlic clove to infuse the mixture. Remove it before serving unless you prefer stronger garlic.
3. Mix in sliced olives and oregano, then stir in the pesto for depth.
4. Cut mozzarella into cubes and let them drain briefly on a plate to avoid excess moisture.
5. Cook pasta in plenty of salted water, then drain.
6. While still warm, toss the pasta with the tomato-pesto mixture so it absorbs the flavors.
7. Gently fold in the mozzarella cubes and scatter arugula on top when plating.
8. Tip: Warm pasta soaks up the dressing better, giving the salad more flavor.

Fusilli BLT Pasta Salad — Ingredients for a bacon, lettuce and tomato version

Gather these items

• 350 g fusilli
• 8 slices bacon
• 2 tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
• 1 small lettuce head, shredded
• 80 g Parmesan shavings
• 2 slices crustless sandwich bread, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp mustard
• Sunflower oil for the mayonnaise
• Parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon (juice)
• Salt and pepper

Step-by-step: make the BLT-style pasta salad

1. Whisk the egg yolk and mustard. Stream in sunflower oil to emulsify into a mayonnaise.
2. Finish the mayo with a squeeze of lemon, salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
3. Bring a pot of water to boil. Salt generously and cook the fusilli until just tender.
4. Drain and toss the pasta with a little olive oil. Allow to cool before combining with other ingredients.
5. Pan-fry the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper and break into chunks.
6. Toss bread cubes in a skillet with olive oil until golden to make quick croutons.
7. Core and dice the tomatoes. Shred the lettuce finely.
8. Mix the cooled pasta with some lemon mayonnaise. Fold in tomatoes and lettuce.
9. Add the crumbled bacon, croutons and sprinkle with Parmesan and chopped parsley.
10. Serve: This salad is best eaten within a few hours so the croutons stay crunchy.

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Sienna Blake

Sienna curates soulful lifestyle content with a focus on intentional living, slow habits, and modern creativity. Her voice blends beauty, function, and joy.