When it comes to summer sides, a cold pasta salad is a no-brainer. It’s a breeze to whip up, endlessly customizable and the perfect cookout salad to pair with any mouthwatering main, from burgers to grilled chicken. And, while you’ve probably got your go-to version, it never hurts to keep a few fresh ideas in your back pocket. That’s why we’ve rounded up all the best ways to customize yours, starting with this version that draws inspiration from another summertime favorite: caprese salad. The tomatoes, mozzarella and basil are all there — along with a bright and tangy white wine vinaigrette. Simple and perfect!

This classic pasta salad, packed with a bounty of summer vegetables and fresh herbs, is the perfect thing to make after a trip to the farmers' market. Look for the tastiest produce at the peak of its season, like crisp radishes and cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and sweet raw corn. We recommend allowing the pasta salad to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Whether it’s grilled or chilled, shrimp is a real treat at any cookout or backyard barbecue. Why not add it to a simple, seasonal pasta salad?

Succotash is a summertime staple. Give the classic ingredients (lima beans, corn and tomatoes) a makeover by adding cooked pasta — and salty bacon!

Pan-roasted corn is the star of this zesty pasta salad that’s perfect for picnics, cookouts or anytime you need a side that doubles as a vegetarian main. We took inspiration from the Mexican street-food favorite esquites: roasted corn kernels dressed with mayonnaise and sprinkled with Cotija cheese and lime juice. We added sour cream to make a creamy dressing for our salad and opted for twirly cavatappi pasta to make the whole dish come together perfectly on your fork. The recipe calls for a generous amount of minced jalapeño; leave the seeds in for a refreshing amount of heat, or scrape them out for milder dish with just a hint of spice.

Toss fusilli, chunks of avocado and halved grape tomatoes with lime juice and cilantro for a guacamole-inspired pasta salad that everyone is sure to love.

Crunchy diced pickles and plenty of brine set this super-flavorful pasta salad apart. Spinach fusilli has plenty of surface area to trap the creamy, tangy herb dressing, and crunchy bacon and sharp cheddar add even more flavor and texture. It just might be your new go-to salad for picnics and parties.

Kardea says, "If you want to highlight the best summer vegetables, this pasta salad is just the ticket. It's great for picnics, potlucks or for just keeping around in the fridge to have as an easy side dish. My homemade creamy basil vinaigrette adds the perfect amount of herbaceous tanginess to complement the veggies."

This vibrant pasta salad is packed with fresh, green herbs — and flavor!

Pasta salad meets potato salad in this hearty, colorful dish. A simple dressing of olive oil, lemon and basil (along with some freshly shaved Parmesan) works wonderfully to tie it all together.

Chef Michael Symon says, "This is just a classic on the Midwestern and East Coast table. I especially love it when throwing a party, because it can easily be made in advance and let you focus on cooking a perfect steak."

Primavera may mean "spring" but we can guarantee that you’ll want to make this tasty pasta salad all grilling season long!

Loaded with salami, scallion and broccoli, this pasta salad gets a hit of spice from a quick red pepper and garlic oil dressing.

Summer is peak season for bell peppers, making it the perfect time to add them to all your favorite recipes — including pasta salad.

Enjoy best-of-summer flavors all year long with this corn and tomato pasta salad in a sour cream-and-chive dressing.

The combination of chickpeas, kidney bean and green beans makes this creamy pasta salad extra satisfying.

This pasta salad is bright, savory and satisfying thanks to just a few thoughtfully chosen Italian ingredients. From the juicy tomatoes and marinated mozzarella balls to the salty bites of Genoa salami, the pasta shells hug all of the ingredients to make every forkful completely flavorful.

To bring this tangy, vegetable-packed pasta salad together in a snap, we used jarred roasted red peppers and store-bought Italian dressing. The dish takes mere minutes to make, but the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the better it tastes!

Salty olives and feta cheese are the perfect complement to al dente pasta. An easy-to-make oregano vinaigrette adds a little extra Mediterranean flair.

We love the variety of textures in this crowd-pleasing pasta salad: al dente pasta, creamy dressing, crunchy croutons and crisp romaine lettuce.

What’s not to love about a simple pasta salad that boasts some big-time, sweet-and-smoky flavor? The secret ingredient? Barbecue sauce.

This simple and satisfying pasta salad draws inspiration from the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. Refreshing tomato and cucumber, hearty chickpeas and salty feta take al dente fusilli in a whole new direction.

You won’t believe how easy it is to make the dressing for this pasta salad. Just toss a handful of ingredients into your food processor and you’re seconds away from super-flavorful perfection!