Backyard barbeques and picnics are what warm weather is made for, but summer soirées just don’t seem complete without a pasta salad on the table. These five dishes hit all the high notes — creamy, crunchy, and chock full of delicious flavors — and are guaranteed to have partygoers clamoring for seconds.

Our American Macaroni Salad (pictured above) is a crowd-pleasing classic. You just can’t go wrong with the combo of a creamy dressing, tangy onions and juicy tomatoes — plus celery for crunch.

You’ll hardly believe how much goodness Geoffrey packs into his Italian Chicken Pasta Salad. He starts with elbow macaroni and time-saving rotisserie chicken, then adds cherry tomatoes, cukes, red onion…olives, hard salami, roasted red peppers, parsley and ricotta salata for a dish that’s bursting with flavor and texture.

Can’t decide between a green salad and a pasta dish? Have it both ways with this pretty 7-Layer Pasta Salad. The genius hybrid combines bow ties tossed in tangy buttermilk dressing with layers of crisp romaine, avocados, broccoli, deli ham and cheese.

Rachael’s Spinach Artichoke Pasta Salad calls for fresh stuffed tortellini instead of dried pasta. Tossed with spinach, roasted red pepper and artichoke hearts, it makes a hearty side dish for a backyard party, or the perfect packable lunch.

For a lighter take on the summertime staple, try our Healthy Summer Pasta Salad, which is packed with height-of-the-season veggies like corn, tomatoes and zucchini, plus fresh dill.