This BBQ Pasta Salad is perfect for any potluck or summer party—packed with BBQ pulled pork, sharp Cheddar, corn, fresh veggies, and a creamy BBQ dressing.
AUTHOR NOTE
I Get Asked For This Recipe At Every BBQ!
Who else lives off pasta salad in the summer? I love that they come together fast, don’t need the oven, and everyone in the family is on board.
Lately, I’ve been rotating between my Mediterranean Pasta Salad and Asian Pasta Salad—each one totally different and totally loved (as long as I skip the olives for my boys, ha!).
This Pulled Pork BBQ Pasta Salad is another fun twist. It’s super quick thanks to a shortcut: pre-cooked, sauced pulled pork. No smoker or slow cooker needed—it works perfectly here!
BBQ Pasta Salad Ingredients
- BBQ Pulled Pork: Use store-bought or leftover pork mixed with BBQ sauce.
- Bowtie Pasta: Or any similar sized pasta will work in this.
- Corn (fresh or frozen): Optionally, grill fresh corn for even more flavor.
- Bell Pepper & Celery: Chop them small so every bite has a little bit of everything.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Cut into small cubes. Pepper-jack is also yummy.
- Green Onions: Use both the white and green parts for extra flavor.
- Dressing: Start with less and add more to taste so it doesn’t get too saucy.
Great Side Dishes For Pasta Salad
If this BBQ Pasta Salad is your main dish, these sides would complement it nicely:
- Grilled corn or Elote
- This fruit salad recipe
- A garden side salad (like this Olive Garden Salad)
- A sweet “fluff” salad like this Raspberry Fluff or Oreo Fluff
- Baked beans
- Roasted vegetables
Storage
BBQ pasta salad is best the day it’s made. If prepping ahead, store the salad and dressing separately, then mix right before serving.
More Ways To Use BBQ Sauce:
BBQ Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta 1/2 of 1 box; about 2-1/2 cups
- 2 small ears fresh corn or 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 small red bell pepper diced, 3/4 cup
- 2 stalks celery 1/2 cup
- 1/2 heaping cup sharp Cheddar cheese cut into small cubes
- 2 thinly sliced green onions 1/4 cup
- 1 cup seasoned and fully cooked BBQ pork cooked according to package instructions, see note 1
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. (Don’t cook all the pasta, only 3 cups!) Generously salt the water to season. (I add 1 teaspoon to every 4 cups water.) If using frozen corn, add it to boiling pasta water 1 minute before pasta will be done. Drain pasta, rinse under cold water, let cool, and allow to dry thoroughly before adding to other ingredients. Add cooked and cooled pasta to a large bowl.
- While pasta is cooking, prep veggies/salad additions. Cook pork according to package directions and allow to cool to room temperature. Use two forks to shred pork a bit more if needed. If using fresh corn, grill (see note 2) or simply cut it off the cob and add to the salad raw. Dice the pepper, thinly slice celery, cube Cheddar pieces, and thinly slice green onions. In a large bowl, add pulled pork, corn, pepper, celery, Cheddar, and green onions.
- In another small bowl, whisk together mayo, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. (Add to taste—I add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.) Whisk until combined and smooth.
- Pour dressing over salad (adding to preference—you may not want it all). Gently toss ingredients until combined. Taste again and season with additional salt/pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this last night. I used smoked chicken instead of pork. My friend that smoked the chicken, has his own brand of bbq sauce so I used that in the dressing. It was soooo good. Will make this again!
Heyy you are an aammaazziinggg chef, do you have a cookbook?? Cos if you don’t you should definitely make one!!
You are so kind! Thank you 🙂 I don’t have one currently, but hopefully someday in the future!
Chelsea, your recipes always impress but this one really has my mouth watering!! It looks incredible!
This pasta salad looks so good! Going to have to make it for dinner very soon.
I feel like I eat pasta salads ALL THE TIME in the summer, they’re just so good! I’m loving this barbecue version, Chelsea! So creative! I don’t think I’ve ever made one quite like this before. I love the addition of pulled pork. Sounds delicious!