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!
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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.
- Pesto Pasta Salad –Â 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
Bo says
This is different…I love the color…never had pasta Saldana with BBQ sauce.
Brenda says
I 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
That's a fantastic pasta salad! Love its summer colour.
Chef Dennis says
wow…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
Wow…that looks amazing! I bbq all the time and I bet my husband would love this!
Pam says
Wow – that looks so delicious!
Amy J. and Tiffanie A. says
Now THIS is a unique pasta!! this is a must try!
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Val says
I have never seen pasta look any better!!!
Tv Food and Drink says
you 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
Holy yum! I love BBQ and pasta so this seems perfect. Must make!
Jennifurla says
the color here really draws me in
That Girl says
I'm having pasta salad for lunch right now!
Kim says
Um, I'm totally pinning this on pinterest! I need to have this asap. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Chris says
Great 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
Wow. 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
Very interesting…..:)
The Harried Cook says
I 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
We 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
Oh 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
Okay, 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.
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