Bow Tie Pasta Salad

This Bow Tie Pasta Salad with crunchy fresh vegetables and tangy dressing packs big flavor! It’s a make-ahead salad and perfect for cookouts, potlucks or your next family gathering because it’s easy to make and everyone loves it! It’s a family favorite for us and I’m sure it will be your favorite too! This post has been updated from April 2015 to improve the reader experience.

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Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe – Crunchy vegetables with great seasoning, it’s a quick and easy pasta salad!

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

This easy bow tie pasta salad is one of the most popular recipes on my blog. 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 of her recipes, like her Tuna Pasta Salad (one of my favorites!) and this yummy salad. Alice makes Bow Tie Pasta Salad for just about every family get-together. Christmas, Easter, 4th of July or Sunday supper, it’s often on the table.

Whether it’s served as an easy side dish or a light lunch, I always get seconds! AND…It’s easy to make too!

Grocery List for Bow Tie Pasta Salad

• bow tie pasta
• green onions
• bell pepper green or red
• cherry tomatoes
• cucumber
• roasted red pepper
• marinated artichoke hearts
• Johnny’s Salad Elegance seasoning salt or McCormick’s Salad Supreme Seasoning
• Italian Salad Dressing

Here’s the step by step directions to make this easy pasta salad!

Next, add the artichokes and cucumbers.

Steps by step photos for Bowtie Pasta Salad

Is pasta healthy?

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!

Is pasta salad bad for you?

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!

How do you cool pasta quickly?

Run cold water over the pasta and shake it well to get rid of the water. Pour a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over the pasta and mix it with a spoon. Refrigerate to cool completely.

Why should you cool pasta before adding dressing?

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!

This Bowtie Pasta Salad is an easy salad to make and best thing is it’s make ahead!

Bow Tie Pasta

Step-by-step directions to make Bow Tie Pasta Salad

1. prepare the pasta according to package directions, drain well and cool.
2. chop the tomatoes.
3. thinly slice the green onions and bell peppers.
4. drain the roasted red pepper and chop.
5. drain the artichoke hearts and dice.
6. now add the remaining ingredients and toss everything together well.
7. add all of the ingredients to a large bowl.
8. sprinkle with the salad seasoning and add the salad dressing, mix to combine.
9. cover tightly and refrigerate at least 6 hours before serving.

Grab a fork and dig right in!

Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipes

More Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipes

• Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad – The Foodie Affair
• Cranberry Feta Bowtie Salad with Spinach – The Recipe Critic
• BLT Pasta Salad – Life in the Lofthouse
• Farfalle with Pepperoni, Mozzarella and Broccoli – Garlic and Zest
• Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad – Simply Scratch

My favorite pasta salad recipes from the blog!

• 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.
• 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!

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Stainless Steel Colander – great for draining the pasta.

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Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipes are perfect for summertime bbqs, cookouts, potlucks and family gatherings. Crunchy fresh vegetables, tangy dressing and delicious pasta combine to make salads to enjoy year round!

Love this recipe? 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!

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Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipes

Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe - Crunchy with lots of delicious Italian seasonings no mayo, it's perfect for a cookout, barbecue or potluck!

Course Salads

Cuisine Italian

Keyword bow tie pasta, pasta salad

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 11 minutes

Total Time 31 minutes

Servings 12 -14 servings

Calories 336kcal

Author Guest Author Alice C.

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
• 1/2 cucumber cut in half and then quartered and thinly sliced
• 1/2 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 1/2 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 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mix to combine.

Instructions

• Cook the bow tie pasta to al dente in boiling salted water. Remove drain well and allow to cool.
• Thinly slice the onions - both the white and green parts, 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 bowl. Sprinkle with the salad seasoning and add the salad dressing. Mix to combine well again. 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 and/or additional salad dressing.
  
• Can be served cold or at room temperature.

Notes

*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!

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 51.5g | Sodium: 32.9mg

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