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The Best Italian Salads for Fresh Summer Meals

Italian salads are the effortless stars of any summer table—vivid, refreshing, and full of punchy flavors that’ll have you reaching for seconds. These vibrant picks are perfect for a light lunch or a breezy side you’ll crave all season long.

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Updated on Mon, 27 Apr 2026
Creamy homemade pesto coats al dente pasta, mingling with sweet cherry tomatoes and arugula. Save
Creamy homemade pesto coats al dente pasta, mingling with sweet cherry tomatoes and arugula. | douxtifawine.com
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Summer Pasta with Pesto and Tomatoes

Creamy homemade pesto coats al dente pasta, mingling with sweet cherry tomatoes and arugula.
Creamy homemade pesto coats al dente pasta, mingling with sweet cherry tomatoes and arugula. | douxtifawine.com

Juicy cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil pesto come together in a bowl of al dente pasta—bright, zesty, and finished with a shower of parmesan and pine nuts.

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Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close-up of Pesto Tortellini Salad garnished with toasted pine nuts and grated Parmesan, perfect for a summer potluck.
A close-up of Pesto Tortellini Salad garnished with toasted pine nuts and grated Parmesan, perfect for a summer potluck. | douxtifawine.com

"Absolutely the best cold pasta salad I’ve made—used fresh basil from my garden and everyone asked for seconds!" —Marcie

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