A penne for your thoughts?
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1. Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com
Want to be the MVP of the picnic? Whip up this pasta salad that's loaded with favorites like corn on the cob, avocado, and Cotija cheese.
2. Pesto Pasta Salad
Minimalist Baker / Via minimalistbaker.com
If you're feeling lazy or in a hurry, you can use store bought pesto instead of the homemade version. Then this recipe comes together with just three ingredients. Get the recipe.
3. Italian Chicken Pasta Salad
Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com, Chelsea's Messy Apron
You can make this impressive looking pasta salad in under 30 minutes. The best part is the two ingredient cheesy Italian dressing. Get the recipe.
4. Chopped Chicken Sesame Noodle Bowls
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
Make a big batch of this sesame sauce — made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and peanut butter — and use it to dress just about anything from chicken to veggies. Get the recipe.
5. Creamy Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles
Paleo Gluten Free / Via paleoglutenfree.com
Thanks to avocado pesto, this zoodle dish is seriously rich (without the help of any butter or cream). Get the recipe.
6. Udon with Chicken and Garlicky Peanut Dressing
Alex Lau via Bon Appetit / Via bonappetit.com
This sweet and tangy dressing — made with pantry staples like honey and soy sauce — takes these noodles to the next level. Get the recipe.
7. Chipotle Sweet Potato Noodle Salad with Roasted Corn
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
You can spiralize sweet potatoes yourself or buy them in noodle form. Just don't forget about the spicy, citrus chipotle dressing. Get the recipe.
8. Roasted Tomato Caprese Pasta Salad
Fork Knife Swoon / Via forkknifeswoon.com
Sometimes simple is best, like in the case of this bright and zesty caprese pasta salad. Roast the cherry tomatoes for about 20 minutes with salt, pepper, and olive oil until they're juicy and just bursting. Get the recipe.
9. Greek Pasta Salad
Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com
Tangy feta cheese, salty kalamata olives, crunchy cucumbers, red peppers and artichoke hearts are the perfect pasta salad additions. Get the recipe.
10. Soba Summer Salad
I Am A Food Blog / Via iamafoodblog.com
Start with soba noodles and then throw in whatever veggies you have sitting in your fridge like peppers, corn, zucchini, and tomatoes. Get the recipe.
11. Cold Sichuan Sesame Noodles
Lady and Pups / Via ladyandpups.com
If you want to save time and money on groceries, opt for a store bought chili oil in place of the homemade version. It packs a serious kick, and a nice spicy contrast to the creamy sesame sauce. Get the recipe.
12. Rice Noodles with Shrimp
Alex Lau via Bon Appetit / Via bonappetit.com
You may not be able to visit Hanoi tonight (sigh), but you can make these Vietnamese noodles. If you don't love shrimp, try topping them with chicken or tofu. Get the recipe.
13. Summer Ramen Noodle Salad
Delish Knowledge / Via delishknowledge.com
If you thought ramen was just for chilly winter nights, think again. This cold version is packed with vegetables and topped with a dressing made with ponzu, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil. Get the recipe.
14. Lemon Balsamic Pasta Salad
Kitschen Cat / Via kitschencat.com
You just need a few basic ingredients to throw together this picnic-perfect pasta salad. The dressing is made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard — things you probably already have in your pantry. Get the recipe.
15. Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad
Pinch Of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
In addition to soba noodles, you can make this dish with any of your favorite veggies and proteins. Make some extra peanut sauce and keep it around to use as a chicken marinade or salad dressing. Get the recipe.
16. BLT Pasta Salad
Life In The Loft House / Via life-in-the-lofthouse.com
This comforting meal couldn't be easier. Just throw together your favorite kind of pasta, lettuce, bacon, and tomato, then toss it in ranch dressing and a drizzle of barbecue sauce. Get the recipe.
17. Thai Coconut Noodle Salad
Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com
These rice noodles and vegetables get a Thai-inspired makeover, thanks to coconut milk, ginger, garlic chili sauce, fish sauce, and garlic. If you're looking for an even creamier dressing, use canned coconut milk.Get the recipe.
18. Vermicelli Noodle Bowl with Pan-Seared Salmon
Hapa Nom Nom / Via hapanom.com
Not a huge fan of salmon? Top the rice noodles with flank steak, chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Get the recipe.
19. Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
Cafe Delites / Via cafedelites.com
Imagine that chicken parmesan, bruschetta, and spaghetti all got together and morphed into one mouthwatering creation. This would be it. Get the recipe.
