As the warm weather approaches, the excitement for outdoor gatherings and barbecues begins to build. If you’re looking for a quick and delicious addition to your potluck or backyard party, store-bought pasta salads can be a lifesaver. We explored various grocery stores to discover the top seven pasta salads that can rival homemade versions.
When you’re pressed for time, ready-made pasta salads from the grocery store can be a fantastic solution. But which ones come closest to that homemade taste? We visited several popular grocery chains to find out which pasta salads stand out:
- Jewel/Albertson’s
- Mariano’s/Kroger
- Meijer
- Target
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
After sampling and evaluating each option, we focused on the quality of the pasta, ensuring it was cooked to perfection—neither too soft nor too firm. We also assessed the dressing’s flavor balance and the variety of ingredients included. Fresh vegetables and herbs can elevate a simple pasta salad into a delightful dish suitable for any summer gathering. Additionally, we considered the price point, as sometimes a higher cost reflects better quality.
At many stores, we found a range of pasta salad choices. For consistency, we aimed to select the most traditional creamy pasta salad featuring elbow macaroni. When that wasn’t available, we consulted staff for their recommendations on popular or frequently stocked options.
Meijer’s Creamy Macaroni Salad
This 16-ounce creamy macaroni salad is priced at a reasonable $3.59, with a larger 3-pound option available for larger gatherings. The packaging claims it contains no high-fructose corn syrup or artificial additives, but it is sweetened with sugar. Unfortunately, we found it overly sweet, lacking the necessary seasoning. More vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions would have enhanced the flavor.
While this was the most classic pasta salad from Meijer, they also offer a variety of other pre-packaged options, including Greek pasta salad, Buffalo chicken pasta salad, and Mediterranean pasta salad. However, these alternatives come in smaller containers and at higher prices.
Conclusion: Although Meijer’s traditional macaroni salad fell short, we are curious to try their other varieties in the future.
Mariano’s Elbow Macaroni Salad
Mariano’s pasta salad, part of the Kroger family, is prepared fresh at the deli counter and priced at $4.49 per pound. Unfortunately, this salad did not meet our expectations. The elbow macaroni was overcooked, resulting in a mushy texture, and the salad lacked vibrant colors and mix-ins. Additionally, it contained high-fructose corn syrup.
Mariano’s offers a variety of other pasta salads, including seafood and Greek options, but we hope our experience was an anomaly and that future tastings will be better.
Conclusion: We appreciate that Mariano’s pasta salad is made fresh, and we look forward to trying it again on a better day.
Walmart’s Original Macaroni Salad
Walmart offers a limited selection of prepared pasta salads, with the original macaroni salad priced at $3.47 for a 1-pound container. This was the most affordable option we tried. However, we found it to be somewhat dry and lacking in dressing, which made it less appealing. We also wished for more seasoning and additional mix-ins.
In addition to the original macaroni salad, Walmart has an Amish macaroni salad and a deviled egg macaroni salad.
Conclusion: Walmart’s pasta salad is the most budget-friendly choice, making it ideal for larger gatherings.
Jewel’s Macaroni Salad
Jewel’s macaroni salad is priced at $4.89 per pound, which is on the higher end. While it appears to be made fresh at the deli, the flavor did not justify the cost. The al dente noodles were a highlight, but the overall taste was lacking. We expected more celery and red pepper to add crunch and flavor.
Jewel also offers a variety of other pasta salads, including pasta Italiano and creamy broccoli salad.
Conclusion: Jewel’s pasta salad could benefit from additional mix-ins, and we plan to enhance it with fresh vegetables next time.
Target’s Classic Macaroni Salad
Target’s classic macaroni salad pleasantly surprised us. The large elbow macaroni was perfectly cooked and slightly overdressed, creating a delightful texture. Priced at $3.69 per pound, it included sweet pickle relish, diced celery, and bell peppers, making it a great value. Target also offers garlic pasta salad and lemon basil tortellini salad.
Conclusion: Target’s pasta salad had the best noodles of all the options we tried, and we would definitely purchase it again!
Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Trader Joe’s offers two pasta salad options in 12-ounce containers, priced at $4.99 each. We chose the lemon basil pasta salad, which featured fresh ingredients but was densely packed, making it difficult to mix. The flavors were vibrant, with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, but the noodles were slightly overcooked.
Conclusion: While Trader Joe’s pasta salad is packed with fresh ingredients, it may not be the best choice for serving at a gathering.
Whole Foods Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Our top pick was the smoked mozzarella pasta salad from Whole Foods, priced at $8.99 per pound. This salad was made fresh with generous portions of spinach and smoked mozzarella, providing a creamy and smoky flavor. While it was pricier than others, the quality justified the cost.
Conclusion: Whole Foods’ pasta salad was the most delicious and highest quality option we sampled, making it perfect for smaller gatherings.