29 Best Hearty No-Lettuce Salads

ByJennifer

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, make-ahead salads that are both delicious and convenient. We’ve put together a collection of salads that you can prepare in advance, making it easy to enjoy a healthy meal without the last-minute rush.

These recipes are ideal for picnics, barbecues, or simply keeping in the fridge for a quick lunch or dinner. With our easy-to-follow recipes, you’ll have a variety of flavorful salads ready to enjoy all summer long.

Big Mac Salad

Big Mac Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy all the classic Big Mac flavors without the guilt in our easy, homemade salad version. Perfect for a lighter, tasty meal.

Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad

Creamy German Cucumber Salad

Creamy German Cucumber Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This creamy Cucumber Salad is based on a classic German recipe. It’s made with crispy cucumbers and a fresh herb dressing.

Get the Recipe: Creamy German Cucumber Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad

A person is holding a spoon full of pasta salad.

Our classic creamy Amish Macaroni Salad is great for picnics and potlucks. It’s sweet and tangy, and it’s packed with protein.

Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Warm German Potato Salad

Warm German Potato Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This authentic German Potato Salad is served warm. Tender potatoes are drenched in a mouthwatering warm bacon dressing.

Get the Recipe: Warm German Potato Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad

Pesto Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This Pesto Pasta salad is a great, easy-to-make summer pasta salad. It’s a crowd-pleaser and perfect for parties, picnics, and potlucks.

Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta Salad

Old-Fashioned Pea Salad

Pea Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This classic, creamy Pea Salad is a perfect side dish during the week or a perfect addition to a party buffet table.

Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Pea Salad

Seafood Pasta Salad

A bowl of pasta with shrimp and peas in it.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy a crowd-pleasing Seafood Pasta Salad with crab, shrimp, veggies, pasta, and a tangy dressing – perfect for your next gathering.

Get the Recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

German Tomato Salad

Tomato Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This refreshing German tomato salad is made with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions and tossed in a sweet, tangy dressing.

Get the Recipe: German Tomato Salad

Egg Salad

Egg Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This high protein, creamy egg salad combines perfectly hard-boiled eggs with crunchy bits of celery and onion in a zesty dressing,

Get the Recipe: Egg Salad

Oma’s German Cucumber Salad

Oma's German Cucumber Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This cucumber salad is how my German Oma used to make it. This German classic is refreshing and has just 4 simple ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Oma’s German Cucumber Salad

Warm Brussels Sprout Salad

Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Tessies Table.

This Warm Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon and Balsamic Glaze is the perfect balance of crispy sprouts, smoky bacon, and sweet cranberries. A hearty and flavorful dish!

Get the Recipe: Warm Brussels Sprout Salad

Easy Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This easy Mediterranean pasta salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. Diced tomatoes, olives, salty capers, and garlic create a big flavor.

Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Salad

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon and Feta salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Watermelon Salad is an easy and refreshing summer salad! Made with juicy watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, salty feta, and a splash of lemon.

Get the Recipe: Watermelon Salad With Feta Cheese And Mint

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with peas and peas on a fork.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This easy, creamy pasta salad combines two delicious flavors: crispy bacon and creamy ranch. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ground Beef Taco Salad

A bowl of mexican salad with tortilla chips and limes.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

A healthy Taco Salad made of seasoned ground beef, cheese, veggies, and tortilla chips drizzled with a Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing.

Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Taco Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

This is the best Tuna Pasta Salad recipe. My entire family is obsessed, and it takes less than 20 minutes to make.

Get the Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad recipe by Cheerful Cook.
Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

Dill Pickle Pasta salad is made with tender pasta, dill pickles, sweet apple, and onions tossed in a creamy dill dressing.

Get the Recipe: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe by She's Not Cookin'.
Photo Credit: She’s Not Cookin’.

This Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe is a celebration of simple, classic ingredients, creating the perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Southern Macaroni Salad

Southern Macaroni Salad recipe by Quiche My Grits.
Photo Credit: Quiche My Grits.

This creamy Southern Macaroni Salad recipe is a staple down south and the best you’ll find for picnics, potlucks, and summer barbecues!
Get the Recipe: Southern Macaroni Salad

Loaded Potato Salad

Loaded Potato Salad recipe by Modern Honey.
Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

The Best Loaded Potato Salad Recipe is made with creamy gold potatoes, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, seasoned salt, and pepper. The perfect baked potato salad recipe is perfect for your next party, potluck, or as a BBQ side dish.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Potato Salad

Chicken Macaroni Salad

Chicken Macaroni Salad recipe by Chenée Today.
Photo Credit: Chenée Today.

The best chicken macaroni salad recipe is a simple rotisserie chicken salad full of flavor! The best cold chicken macaroni salad!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Macaroni Salad

Easy Pasta Salad

Easy Pasta Salad recipe by Modern Honey.
Photo Credit: Modern Honey.

Easy Pasta Salad. This Quick and Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is made with pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, salami, all tossed with a secret ingredient and Olive Garden Italian dressing. It is the best pasta salad recipe and the most flavorful side dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pasta Salad

Patriotic Tri-Color Pasta Salad

Patriotic Tri Color Pasta Salad recipe by The Slow Roasted Italian.
Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian.

Tri Color Pasta Salad is an easy side dish with pepperoni, cheese, and veggies in Italian dressing. This potluck salad is always a favorite!

Get the Recipe: Patriotic Tri-Color Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad recipe by What a Girl Eats.
Photo Credit: What a Girl Eats.

This caprese pasta salad recipe with garden tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil is perfect for a picnic or potluck. Naturally vegetarian

Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad

Orzo Pesto Salad

Orzo Pesto Salad recipe by Ugly Duckling Bakery.
Photo Credit: Ugly Duckling Bakery.

This orzo pesto salad is the perfect summer salad. It’s packed with ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella and topped with toasted pine nuts.

Get the Recipe: Orzo Pesto Salad

Pizza Pasta Salad With Tortellini

Pizza Pasta Salad With Tortellini recipe by The Slow Roasted Italian.
Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian.

Pizza Pasta Salad combines your favorite pizza toppings with cheesy tortellini in a fabulously zesty and tangy summer pasta salad!

Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad With Tortellini

Ham and Pea Salad

Ham and Pea Salad recipe by Crayons and Craving.
Photo Credit: Crayons and Craving.

A classic ham and pea salad recipe made with sweet peas, savory ham, cheddar cheese, and red onions all tossed in a creamy homemade dressing.

Get the Recipe: Ham and Pea Salad

Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad

Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad recipe by Boulder Locavore.
Photo Credit: Boulder Locavore.

An easy pasta salad recipe is a summer staple, and this Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad is a complete winner! Chicken apple sausage, crunchy broccoli, mozzarella cheese cubes, penne pasta, irresistible vinaigrette and more. No mayonnaise, so it’s perfect for hot summer grilling or picnics.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Sausage Pasta Salad

The Best Broccoli Salad

The Best Broccoli Salad recipe by Spend With Pennies.
Photo Credit: Spend With Pennies.

Homemade Broccoli Salad is so easy to make. Fresh broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds, & bacon in a quick 3-ingredient dressing!

Get the Recipe: The Best Broccoli Salad

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad recipe by Taste and See.
Photo Credit: Taste and See.

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad—This delicious side dish is hearty enough for an easy dinner! It’s loaded with tortellini, salami, fresh mozzarella, and veggies.

Get the Recipe: Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad

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