If you love creamy pasta salads but want something with a little added texture, this coleslaw pasta salad is for you. It’s full of crunch and coated with a creamy dressing. Great for cookouts, potlucks, and more.

Take two of your favorite BBQ side dishes and combine them to get this delicious coleslaw pasta salad. Packed with coleslaw, veggies, pasta, and a simple dressing, this easy side dish is a must make this summer.

If you need something to wow your BBQ crowd this summer, this pasta salad is a must make. It’s one of my favorite things to make for a get together because it is the best of both worlds, the creaminess of pasta salad and the crunchiness of coleslaw.

This is so good served alongside a burger, grilled chicken, hot dogs, and more. My husband even likes to toss in some shredded rotisserie chicken to make it a full meal, making it perfect for an easy lunch during the week.

Need more easy pasta salad recipes, be sure to check out this cucumber pasta salad, ranch pasta salad, spaghetti pasta salad, and ditalini pasta salad.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• The best mix of crunchy and creamy. Great texture and flavors.
• Easy side dish for BBQ’s, potlucks, or simple dinner. This makes a big batch of pasta salad making it great for a crowd.
• Can be customized. You can adjust the vegetables in the pasta salad to your preference.

Ingredeints

This coleslaw pasta salad can be made with minimal ingredients and it’s also customizable to your taste.

• Pasta: Small pasta shapes work well for this recipe like small shells, ditalini, and macaroni.
• Coleslaw mix: Bagged coleslaw mix makes this recipe super easy.
• Cucumbers: Diced cucumber adds the perfect amount of crunch. I recommend using English cucumbers.
• Bell peppers: Use your favorite color bell pepper.
• Red onion: Adds great color and flavor.
• Mayonnaise: The base of the dressing.
• Sour cream: Sour cream adds a little extra tang to the dressing.
• Sugar: A little bit of helps to balance out the flavors of this dressing.
• Apple cider vinegar: You can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
• Salt and pepper: Season to taste.

How to make coleslaw pasta salad

Scroll to the recipe card below for the full instructions and ingredients.

1. Boil the pasta according to directions. Make sure to cook until al dente.
2. Drain the pasta and then rinse with cold water. Let completely drain.
3. Add the pasta, chopped vegetables, and coleslaw mix in a large bowl.

4. Make the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.

5. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss to completely coat everything with the dressing.

6. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. Make sure to give the pasta salad a stir before serving.

Heather’s recipe tips

• Cook pasta to al dente. This will help the pasta hold up to the dressing.
• Rinse the pasta with cold water. This will help stop the cooking process.
• Chill in the refrigerator before serving. Chilling the pasta salad will allow all of the flavors to come together.
• Chop everything small. Dicing everything small helps make it easier to eat.
• Save a little of the dressing. I like to set aside a little bit of the dressing to add into the pasta salad before serving.

Variations

This pasta salad with coleslaw is simple to customize to your taste. Here are a few suggestions:

• Protein: Add a little protein with chopped hard boiled eggs, chicken, or crumbled bacon.
• Vegetables: Use your favorite vegetables
• Dressing: You can substitute the mayonnaise and sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.

Storage instructions

Store: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container or covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Make ahead: You can make this coleslaw pasta salad up to the night before serving.

I do not recommend freezing this pasta salad.

Recipe FAQ’s

More BBQ side dishes

• Pea salad
• Cowboy baked beans
• Root beer baked beans
• Grape salad