Our Easy Creamy, Smoky BBQ Pasta Salad makes the perfect side dish for any summer BBQ, Cookout, Potluck, or Picnic! Goes with everything and tastes Amazing!
I love pasta salad. It just seems to be the perfect food for warm weather eating. It reminds me of picnics and block parties and all the other wonderful gatherings of summer. I found this recipe a few years ago and instantly fell in love.
Barbecue pasta salad?!? Well, hello YUM! I have a couple other favorite pasta salad recipes but this is the one I like best when I’m making barbecue. What type of food goes more perfectly with a big batch of tender smoked ribs or barbecued chicken. Well, more barbecue of course! It might sound like barbecue flavor overload, but somehow, IMHO, it’s absolutely perfect!
BBQ Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- Salt
- 16 Ounces Elbow Pasta
- 1 Sweet Red Pepper Finely Chopped
- 1 Rib Celery Finely Chopped
- 6 Green Onions Thinly Sliced
- 1 Small Red Onion Finely Chopped
- 1 Small Bunch Fresh Cilantro Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 3 Teaspoons Dried Chili Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Hot Sauce
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 Cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta and cook pasta until just al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool, then drain again briefly, so the pasta remains somewhat moist; transfer to a large bowl.
- Stir in bell pepper, celery, green onions, red onion, cilantro, vinegar, brown sugar, chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Let sit a few minutes for flavors to absorb.
- Stir in hot sauce, mayo and BBQ sauce. Check to season and adjust if necessary. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More Pasta Salad:
Italian Pasta Salad – is potluck and picnic ready! Surprise your friends with a peppadew and pepperoncini juice dressing over a tangy penne salad.
Tuna Pasta Salad– where the chicken of the sea meets the salad of Southern gatherings! You’re gonna want another serving of this fresh and creamy pasta mix.
Pasta Salad – This classic tri-colored spiral Pasta Salad is full of veggies, cheese, meat, and tons of flavor. The tangy vinaigrette coats every piece to perfection!
Pesto Pasta Salad – tops vegetables and bow-tie pasta in a creamy, dreamy pesto dressing – positively perfect ! Premade pesto makes this salad a snap to make!
Chicken Pasta Salad – This isn’t a plain-Jane pasta salad! Tangy, creamy, & full of chicken, veggies, & pasta, Chicken Pasta Salad feeds a crowd. They’ll be lined up for seconds!
Southern Macaroni Salad – Get ready for a blast from the past! This crazy creamy, sweet and tangy classic Southern Macaroni Salad is just like Grandma’s!
Source: Adapted From Cook’s Illustrated
Susan says
April 7, 2014 at 2:42 pmHow much pasta in the recipe? 8 oz, 12 oz, or 16 oz?
Kathleen says
April 7, 2014 at 9:25 pmHi Susan. Thanks for catching that 🙂 It calls for 16 ounces.
Anonymous says
July 16, 2012 at 3:17 pmHad a BBQ last night and had this as one the side dishes, everyone devoured it. Lovely side dish, perfect accompaniment for a BBQ. Thank you for the recipe! “Go raibh maith agat” – From Ireland
Stefani @ MommyEnterprises.com says
October 11, 2011 at 8:16 pmSounds yummmy!
amy (fearless homemaker) says
July 26, 2011 at 2:03 pmholy awesomeness! i have never seen anything even remotely like this, but as someone who loves both bbq + pasta salad, i have to give it a try. thanks for the awesome recipe!
meeshiesmom says
July 21, 2011 at 10:32 amWow this looks awesome! I never thought about BBQ sauce in pasta salad before…
Karen
Simply Life says
July 21, 2011 at 1:59 amwhat a fun take on pasta salad!
Cassie @ Bake Your Day says
July 21, 2011 at 12:11 amThis is a perfect summer cookout dish, love it! My husband would kill for this, he is a BBQ lover! I'm new to your blog but I'll be back, thanks for stopping by mine!
Namitha says
July 20, 2011 at 11:35 pmDelicious ! I love pasta salad and this looks fantastic 🙂
Dee at Deelicious Sweets says
July 20, 2011 at 11:13 pmOh my! All that yumminess in one pasta salad!? Shut the front door! Looks delish!
katshealthcorner says
July 20, 2011 at 8:16 pmOh my gosh. I can't beleive we have the same name!!! 😀
Mary says
July 20, 2011 at 1:12 pmThis really looks delicious, Kathleen. We picnic a lot and this would be wonderful for an alfresco meal. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Kathy - Panini Happy says
July 18, 2011 at 11:51 pmWhat a great idea! I always enjoy pasta salad with my BBQ, why not combine the two?
Beth says
July 18, 2011 at 5:36 pmThat looks terrific. What a fun side dish!
sweetpeaskitchen.com says
July 18, 2011 at 4:08 pmMy family loves pasta salad! This bbq one sounds amazing! I can't wait to give it a try! 🙂
Maris says
July 16, 2011 at 10:38 pmSounds so good! It's so fun playing with classic recipes.
Mmm... is for Mommy says
July 16, 2011 at 4:48 pmYum! I thought the same thing as you… I hadn't thought of adding the bbq sauce before, but cannot wait to try it.
Monet says
July 16, 2011 at 11:50 amThis does look like a great pasta salad to me. I love bbq, and I never would have thought to use it as the foundation of a pasta recipe. So good! Thank you for sharing with me today. Visiting your blog is an inspiring way to start my weekend. I hope you have a blessed time with family and friends.
Pegasuslegend says
July 16, 2011 at 10:10 amWhat a brilliant side dish!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook says
July 16, 2011 at 5:10 amYum! I also like pasta salad too! But I never thought of using BBQ sauce for the salad! I can already see this can be very addicting! 😉 Have a great weekend!
Holly says
July 16, 2011 at 3:52 amOh yum! This pasta is right up my alley! Bookmarked!!
Raina says
July 16, 2011 at 1:48 amI love pasta salad too. This must be delicious with that list of ingredients like barbecue sauce and peppers…wow…yum!
Bo says
July 16, 2011 at 1:05 amThis is different…I love the color…never had pasta Saldana with BBQ sauce.
Brenda says
July 15, 2011 at 8:41 pmI had bbq pasta salad for the first time last month and loved it. That recipe was also from Cook's Country (I think) but yours has more goodies in it than mind did – this recipe looks even better. Now that I had pasta salad with bbq sauce in it, I don't want it any other way. Yum!
Angie's Recipes says
July 15, 2011 at 4:40 amThat's a fantastic pasta salad! Love its summer colour.
Chef Dennis says
July 15, 2011 at 3:07 amwow…barbecue pasta salad, what a great idea, now of course my wife wont like it, she doesn't like barbecue sauce, but I would just devour that bowl of pasta salad!
Melissa says
July 14, 2011 at 6:58 pmWow…that looks amazing! I bbq all the time and I bet my husband would love this!
Pam says
July 14, 2011 at 5:24 pmWow – that looks so delicious!
Amy J. and Tiffanie A. says
July 14, 2011 at 4:33 pmNow THIS is a unique pasta!! this is a must try!
We just started following you!
Love,
http://chickswholovetoeat.blogspot.com/
Val says
July 14, 2011 at 3:41 amI have never seen pasta look any better!!!
Tv Food and Drink says
July 13, 2011 at 9:59 pmyou can never have to much BBQ sauce in my opinion. I can't believe I never thought to make something like this. Thanks! Gary
Megan says
July 13, 2011 at 8:32 pmHoly yum! I love BBQ and pasta so this seems perfect. Must make!
Jennifurla says
July 12, 2011 at 9:19 pmthe color here really draws me in
That Girl says
July 12, 2011 at 7:33 pmI'm having pasta salad for lunch right now!
Kim says
July 12, 2011 at 7:10 pmUm, I'm totally pinning this on pinterest! I need to have this asap. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Chris says
July 12, 2011 at 7:06 pmGreat side dish for bbq chicken which we are having tonight and I have most of these ingredients. Thanks for sharing, I might have to make this tonight.
Barbara says
July 12, 2011 at 5:29 pmWow. The title got to me right away. Amazing idea, Kathleen. I'm going to have to try this. The color is fabulous and I bet the flavor is too.
The Fajdich Times says
July 12, 2011 at 5:15 pmVery interesting…..:)
The Harried Cook says
July 12, 2011 at 2:10 pmI love pasta salad too, but I've never made it with BBQ sauce… sounds so delicious! And the picture is gorgeous too! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Cathy says
July 12, 2011 at 1:26 pmWe love pasta salad. I have tried many different recipes but never thought to add bbq sauce to the dressing. This looks fantastic, Kathleen, and your photo is mouthwatering.
Muriel Miller says
July 12, 2011 at 5:59 amOh My Goodness I am so making this soon! This sounds Heavenly and genius! I have never had a bbq pasta salad before. Bookmarked 🙂
Kristin says
July 12, 2011 at 5:31 amOkay, serious yum factor going on here. The funny this is, tonight I had sloppy joes and potato salad and I thought to myself “I should make a sloppy joe potato salad.” HaHa I guess my idea wasn't too crazy because this is right up there and it looks delicious.
Holy Cannoli Recipes