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 gourmet dish. 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 classic creamy pasta salad featuring elbow macaroni. When that wasn’t available, we consulted staff for their most 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 traditional offering from Meijer, they also have a variety of other pre-packaged pasta salads, including Greek, Buffalo chicken, and Mediterranean styles. However, these alternatives come in smaller containers and at higher prices.
Conclusion: Although Meijer’s classic macaroni salad fell short, we are intrigued to try their other pasta salad varieties in the future.
Mariano’s Elbow Macaroni Salad
Mariano’s pasta salad, part of the Kroger family, is made fresh in-house and sold by weight at $4.49 per pound. However, 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, which detracted from its appeal.
Mariano’s offers a variety of other pasta salads, including seafood and Greek options, but we hope our experience was an anomaly and that the quality improves in the future.
Conclusion: We appreciate that Mariano’s pasta salad is freshly made, and we look forward to giving it another chance.
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. Walmart does offer other varieties, such as Amish macaroni salad.
Conclusion: Walmart’s pasta salad is budget-friendly and suitable for larger gatherings, but it could use some improvements in flavor and texture.
Jewel’s Macaroni Salad
Jewel’s macaroni salad is priced at $4.89 per pound, making it one of the pricier options. While it appears to be made fresh, the flavor did not justify the cost. The al dente noodles were a highlight, but the overall taste was lacking. We expected more crunch from the celery and red pepper, which were sparse in the salad.
Jewel also offers other pasta salads, including Italian and Caprese styles, which may be worth exploring.
Conclusion: Jewel’s pasta salad could benefit from additional ingredients to enhance its flavor and texture.
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 other pasta salad options, such as garlic and tomato basil.
Conclusion: Target’s pasta salad stood out for its excellent noodle quality, and we would definitely purchase it again.
Trader Joe’s Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
Trader Joe’s offers two pasta salad options, both priced at $4.99 for 12-ounce containers. We chose the lemon basil pasta salad, which featured fresh ingredients like basil and Parmesan cheese. However, the pasta was slightly overcooked, and the salad was packed too tightly, making it difficult to mix. While it’s a great grab-and-go option, it may not be ideal for serving at a gathering.
Conclusion: Trader Joe’s pasta salad is packed with fresh ingredients, making it a healthy choice, but it may require some adjustments for serving.
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 high-quality ingredients, featuring ample spinach and cubes of smoked mozzarella that added a creamy texture and rich flavor. While it is on the pricier side, the quality justifies the cost, making it perfect for smaller gatherings.
Conclusion: Whole Foods’ pasta salad is the best option we sampled, offering exceptional quality and flavor, ideal for special occasions.