Pasta is a wonderful base for main dish salads. It comes in so many shapes and forms, and is always quick and easy to make. You can combine it with everything from chicken to fruit to grains or seafood.  One of the best things about pasta salad is that you should make them ahead of time, preferably in the morning or late at night when it's cooler. These are some of the best pasta salads in my repertoire. And you love them too!

1. Ravioli Salad

This delicious six ingredient salad can be served hot or cold. Tender ravioli is mixed with veggies and a ranch salad dressing and served over mixed greens.More »

2. Pasta Salmon Apple Salad

This fabulous recipe is rich and delicious and just perfect. The horseradish, lemon juice, and mustard add wonderful tang, and the sweet and tart apples are perfect against the tender pasta and rich salmon.More »

3. Chicken Club Pasta Salad

This beautiful salad combines chicken with all the ingredients in a Club sandwich. The combination of textures and flavors is simply wonderful. It's served on tender lettuce: butter lettuce or red lettuce are good choices.More »

4. Cabbage Tortellini Salad

This salad was the result of some spinach that just didn't last long enough in the refrigerator. It's crunchy, smooth, creamy, and chewy, and just plain delicious.More »

5. Chicken Melon Salad

When I find nice cantaloupe in the supermarket, this is the recipe I think of. Tender chicken combined with cool and sweet melon and perfectly cooked pasta is sublime. I sometimes add raspberries just before serving so they stay whole.More »

6. Pasta Broccoli Bacon Salad

Have you tried that delicious summer side dish Broccoli Bacon Salad? I made it one day and had the brainstorm of adding pasta to the recipe. It's so delicious and different. And satisfying!More »

7. Curried Salmon Waldorf Salad

This is one of my newest salads, made when I had some leftover cooked salmon fillets. I love the dressing, with its rich curry flavor and creamy texture. The crisp celery and apple add wonderful contrast, and the dried cranberries pops of tart flavor.More »

8. Raspberry Mint Turkey Salad

This gorgeous salad is full of fresh fruits, asparagus, tender turkey and pasta in a creamy mint dressing. It is simply divine.More »

9. Ranch Ham Salad

This simple salad is full of flavor. And it uses just five ingredients! It's a great way to use up leftover ham. You can substitute your favorite veggies for the ones in this recipe, but try it my way once. Yum.More »

10. Blueberry Chicken Salad

This delicious and flavorful recipe has the best combination of flavors and colors. Tart and sweet blueberries are a wonderful contrast to tender and juicy chicken.More »