This Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad with crunchy fresh vegetables and tangy dressing packs big flavor! It's a make-ahead no mayonnaise salad and perfect for a summer bbq, potluck or your next family gathering. This easy to make salad is the best-loved recipe and a go-to family favorite!
If you love this salad, be sure and try this Teriyaki Noodles Recipe - it's great warm or cold!
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Why you'll love this recipe
This easy Italian pasta salad is one of the most popular, one of the best pasta salad recipes ever! It's an easy recipe my sis-in-law Alice shared a couple of years ago and a recipe we enjoy often. You will too!
It's that good!
I've been lucky enough to grab a few recipes, like her Tuna Pasta Salad (one of my favorites!) and this tangy pasta salad. Alice makes Bowtie Pasta Salad for just about every family get-together. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July or Sunday supper, it's always on the table.
It's a good pasta salad for potluck gatherings, a perfect side dish, or a light lunch. I always get seconds - I love this salad! Bonus?... It's easy to make too!
Salad Ingredients
For the exact measurements for this easy pasta salad recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- I used regular bow tie pasta (also known as farfalle pasta). You can certainly substitute any small pasta you have on hand.
- green onions - we prefer the mild onion flavor of green onions, but if you do not have those available, use a red onion.
- Green or red bell pepper - you could also use yellow or orange peppers.
- grape tomatoes - cherry tomatoes or a large tomato seeded and chopped.
- cucumber - for bright crunch!
- Roasted red pepper - adds a nice smokey flavor.
- Marinated artichoke hearts - though you could omit these, they add a ton of flavor!
- Johnny's Salad Elegance seasoning salt or McCormick's Salad Supreme Seasoning - adds so much flavor to this pasta salad
- Italian Salad Dressing or lemon vinaigrette - use store-bought, it works just fine!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom!
- Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente. Rinse and drain well. Place in a large salad bowl, all to come to room temperature and refrigerate.
- Chop the tomatoes, thinly slice the green onions and bell peppers. Drain the roasted red pepper and chop, drain the artichoke hearts and dice.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the cooked pasta and toss everything together well.
- Sprinkle with the salad seasoning and add the salad dressing, mix to combine.
- Cover the Italian bow tie pasta salad tightly and refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving.
FAQ's
Some pasta is healthier than others. If you're watching your carbs or want to add more protein to your diet, be sure to choose whole grain pasta to get the most nutrition in each bite. Additionally, watch your portion sizes!
It doesn't have to be! Choose a pasta salad with a light vinaigrette rather than a pasta salad laden with a heavy mayonnaise dressing. It will help you enjoy delicious pasta guilt free!
Run cold water over the pasta and shake it well to get rid of the water. Pour a couple of tablespoons olive oil over the pasta and mix it with a spoon. That will keep it from sticking together. Refrigerate to cool completely.
You should cool pasta before adding dressing - whether that's a creamy coleslaw dressing or Italian salad dressing - because hot pasta absorbs twice as much liquid as cold pasta! You'll end up with a clumpy lump of pasta that's overdressed, ewe! Nobody wants that!
Best solution? Cook the pasta the night before to ensure it's completely cool!
Tips
Always allow the pasta to cool completely before adding salad dressing. Hot pasta will absorb moisture and suck up all the salad dressing. It will be a soggy mess. Make the pasta ahead of time and refrigerate to allow it ensure it's chilled.
Don't overcook the pasta! Cook the pasta to al dente.
Rinse the pasta with cool water and allow it to completely drain before refrigerating.
I don't use a homemade Italian dressing, though you certainly could. I think store-bought works great in this recipe.
Variations
Additional add-ins include chopped fresh spinach, edamame, olives or radishes - if you like it and it's crunchy, don't be afraid to toss it into this pasta salad!
Storage
- Refrigerate - the salad keeps well up to four days. Place it in a well-sealed large bowl covered with plastic wrap or an airtight container. Add a splash of Italian salad dressing if the pasta is dry.
Serving suggestions
We make this for nearly every holiday from July 4th to Christmas; it's perfect for Memorial Day BBQs and great for Thanksgiving dinner because you can make it ahead.
Here are a few suggestions for pairing to make a great meal.
- It's perfect with grilled Chili Lime Chicken and Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs - just delicious!
- Great with this juicy grilled Turkey Burger recipe or Lemon Pepper Chicken.
- It's yummy with beef as well - one of my favorites is this Tri Tip Recipe, but this slow cooker recipe roast beef is terrific as well.
Related recipes
I'm such a big fan of summer salad recipes! Here are a few more delicious pasta salads to try.
- Southern Style Ham Pasta Salad - Salty ham and feta cheese are mixed with bright, crunchy vegetables and al dente pasta.
- Antipasto Pasta Salad – All the flavors of your favorite Antipasto Platter in a salad! Big flavors with just a little work.
- Be sure to try this recipe for a BLT Pasta Salad - crunchy, creamy and loaded with bacon!
- Artichoke Avocado Pasta Salad -Another great salad for a cookout or bbq, as it doesn’t contain any mayonnaise and it is so delicious and flavorful!
- Tuna Pasta Salad - tuna, pasta, salty parmesan cheese and olives with crunchy veggies brought together with a creamy dressing. This salad is a meal in itself!
This pasta salad recipes no mayo is perfect for summertime bbqs, cookouts, potlucks and family gatherings. Crunchy fresh vegetables, tangy dressing and delicious pasta combine to make this side great to enjoy year round!
Love this recipe it's just the perfect side dish! Please leave a comment with a five-star rating below, or pop me a note. I love hearing from you! If you make this, be sure to tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover - thank you for supporting the blog, trying and sharing my recipes!
Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 32 oz. box Bow Tie Pasta
- 1 bunch green onions chopped
- 1 bell pepper green or red - use your favorite
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- ½ cucumber cut in half and then quartered and thinly sliced
- ½ cup roasted red pepper
- 3 oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts
- 2 tablespoons Johnny's Salad Elegance seasoning salt or McCormick's Salad Supreme Seasoning*
- 1 to 1 ½ cups Italian Salad Dressing
- Prior to serving check the seasonings - you may need to add a bit of salt depending upon which seasoning spice you use. If needed add about ½ teaspoon of salt and mix to combine.
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Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the bow tie pasta to al dente in boiling salted water. Remove drain well and allow to cool completely.
- When you are ready to assemble the salad, thinly slice the onions - both the white and green parts, red or green bell pepper, slice the cherry tomatoes and cucumber.
- Drain the roasted red pepper and chop. Drain the artichoke hearts and dice.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with the salad seasoning and add the salad dressing. Mix well to combine. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving.
- Prior to serving, stir well and check seasoning. You may need to add a touch of salt, black pepper and/or additional salad dressing.
- Can be served cold or at room temperature.
Deb J
I bought all the ingredients this morning to make this for co-workers tomorrow. But, they didn't have mini bow-tie pasta, so I got the regular size. Will that make a difference? Thanks!
Bowl Me Over
Not at all Deb - you can use any pasta, the bow tie is just so fun! Enjoy the salad, I hope you’re having a great summer!!!
Deb J
Thank you! I hope you're having a nice summer too!
Liza
This recipe is just Perfect! Especially for the kids who'll like eating their veggies with the pasta! Perfect!
Liza
These salads are amazing! And this collection is a life-saver for me to refer to because I always need to come up with a good salad for my kids' lunches! And these are perfect! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Pasta Salads are always such a great choice. I'm so glad you're enjoying all of these yummy recipes. Thank you Liza!!!
Liza
Love it! No mayonnaise, lots of super-colorful veggies - it's such a go-to recipe for the barbecue season! Thanks, Debra!!! 🙂
Bowl Me Over
You betcha - I hope you give this one a try Liza!
Del's cooking twist
I love bow-tie pasta, and this salad looks delish!
Diane
Yum pasta salad. Yours looks amazing!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Diane!
Elena
This pasta salad is so colorful, I love all the flavors,
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Elena - sure appreciate you stopping by!
Manila Spoon (Abby)
I love the textures and flavors in this beautiful pasta salad of yours Debra! I love the addition of edamame - a winner for me!
Bowl Me Over
Hey that's great Abby - edamame adds such a great texture & flavor!!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters
I love how this is so packed with veggies, so colorful and yummy!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Justine - I hope you give it a try!
Tara
I love a pasta salad like this, I will have seconds please!
Bowl Me Over
You bet Tara! 😀
Divya Prakash
Colorful pasta salad with loads of flavor. Love it!
Bowl Me Over
Perfect for summer, so bright and colorful!
Sandi Gaertner (@sandigtweets)
I love the added edamame for protein in this dish!
Bowl Me Over
Me too and it adds such a nice crunch!
Janette@culinaryginger
You can never go wrong with a pasta salad side dish and this looks delicious.
Bowl Me Over
So true Janette!
LydiaF
Oooooh! Love the addition of the edamame. I'll bet it tastes great 🙂
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Lydia!
Diane
Gosh I LOVE pasta salad. This one is so pretty and colorful. The edamame is a nice touch!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Diane - me too - and it gets better & better on day 2 & 3!
Katerina
Perfect salad meal! And you can prepare it ahead of time and let it rest in the fridge!
Bowl Me Over
Absolutely, even overnight works!
Debi @ Life Currents
Pasta salad is so good right now. Where I live it's still too hot to cook and eat hot food! So this works perfectly!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful Debi - I hope you give it a try!
KC the Kitchen Chopper
I love make a head dishes. Especially when entertaining. I'll be keeping this in mind for future parties.
Bowl Me Over
Awesome KC - thanks for stopping by!
peter @feedyoursoultoo
You really upped the traditional pasta salad.
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Peter!