All American Cookout Pasta Salad
July 11, 2026
Summer cookouts call for a pasta salad that’s a little more exciting than usual. I teamed up with a talented friend who designed these fun party invitations, and I created recipes to match. This All–American Cookout Pasta Salad is packed with all the flavors of a backyard burger in one bowl.
Rotini is tossed with sharp cheddar, grilled corn, crispy bacon, tomatoes, dill pickles, and a creamy burger sauce-inspired dressing made with ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, and relish. A handful of crispy fried onions on top adds the perfect crunch, making this a side dish that’s guaranteed to disappear before the burgers are gone.
All American Cookout Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- cubes
- 1 cup grilled corn kernels
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup dill pickles, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and
- crumbled
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
For the burger sauce dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until completelycooled.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, relish, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cheddar cheese, corn, tomatoes, pickles, bacon, onion, and green onions.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Right before serving, sprinkle the crispy fried onions over the top.
Click the photo below to check out the matching party invitations! This recipe and another coordinating recipe are included in the printable, and you’ll find plenty more invitation designs for birthdays, holidays, cookouts, and celebrations all year long.
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