Loaded with fresh veggies, al dente pasta, and your favorite Italian Salad Dressing, this Bowtie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is the perfect, easy salad! It's great to have in the refrigerator throughout the week or at your next gathering!
There's nothing better than a delicious pasta salad at Summer cookouts. This recipe would be the perfect addition to a barbecue menu! There is something for everyone in this easy Italian pasta salad!
This Italian bowtie pasta salad would be a delicious light lunch with chicken burgers with spinach and feta, watermelon feta salad, or a side to Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin.
If you need some recipes to serve with pasta salad, make sure to check out all these delicious recipes in this what to serve with pasta salad roundup!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe
- Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
- How To Make Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe Variations
- How to Store Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
- How To Serve Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad Recipe FAQs
- More Recipes to Try
- 📖 Recipe
- Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing
Why You'll Love This Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe
- It's easy to make! Since we are using bottle Italian dressing, we won't have to worry about making homemade dressing separately in a small bowl. Italian dressing has tons of flavor in it from the olive oil, vinegar, salt and black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- It's great for meal prep! This can be made well in advance and served throughout the week with your favorite protein.
- It's versatile! Just like in a pasta primavera, you can add whatever veggies you want. This Italian pasta salad recipe can easily be changed to suit your family's needs!
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this delicious pasta salad!
- Bowtie Pasta. This is also known as farfalle pasta and can easily be found in your grocery store.
- Veggies. We are going to add red onion, English cucumber, red bell pepper (or green bell pepper), and tomatoes.
- Italian Dressing. Feel free to use your family's favorite Italian dressing in this easy recipe.
- Cheddar cheese. To add some creamy texture to the pasta salad.
See printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
How To Make Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad
Step 1: Chop all the vegetables and cheddar cheese and place them in a large bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to the package instructions.
Step 2: When the pasta is done cooking, drain the cooked pasta and run it under cold water. Add the pasta to the large bowl and pour over a whole bottle of Italian dressing.
Step 3: Mix all the ingredients well and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours.
How to Make Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad Ahead of Time
This pasta salad is a great make-ahead recipe and actually tastes better after it has time to chill. You can cook the pasta up to 24 hours in advance, drain it well, and toss it with a little olive oil to keep it from sticking. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can also prep and chop all of the mix-ins ahead of time and keep them refrigerated separately. When you’re ready to serve, toss everything together with the dressing and give it a good stir. If the salad looks a little dry, just add a splash of dressing right before serving to freshen it up.
Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe Variations
Add protein! Add your favorite protein to this zesty Italian pasta salad. Chick peas, cooked chicken, chopped egg, or cannellini beans would all be delicious and bulk up this cold pasta salad. You can even add chopped pepperoni, sliced salami, or your favorite deli meats to this great recipe!
Change up the veggies! Feel free to use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, green peppers, black olives, green onions, or whatever your favorite veggies are!
Change up the cheese! If you don't have cheddar cheese, you can use feta cheese, parmesan cheese, or mozzarella cheese balls in this recipe.
How to Store Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Store this pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It's great cold or room temperature!
This salad has fresh vegetables, so it is not recommended that you freeze it. It's best if you make it, let it hang out in the refrigerator for a few hours, and then served.
How To Serve Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad
When looking for recipes to serve with pasta salad, I've got a whole list! In the meantime, here are a few crowd pleasers to enjoy with this delicious dish!
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can use your favorite shape of pasta. You can even use gluten free pasta or chick pea pasta for this recipe.
To make a creamy dressing, you can use kefir ranch, or you can add mayo and sour cream to the dressing. That would make it creamy. It should then be poured over the pasta.
Rinsing the pasta stops the cooking process and ensures that it does not overcook or melt any cheese in the pasta salad. In most pasta salad recipes you need to rinse the pasta.
The pasta is done when it’s al dente, tender but still has a slight bite in the center. I always taste a piece instead of relying only on the timer. If it’s soft all the way through with no chalky center, it’s ready. Be careful not to overcook it, or the pasta will turn mushy once it’s mixed into the salad.
Farfalle means “butterflies” in Italian, which makes sense when you look at the shape. In the U.S., it’s commonly called bowtie pasta because it looks like little bows, but farfalle is the traditional Italian name.
Yes! Just swap the regular farfalle for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Cook it according to the package directions and rinse it with cool water after draining to stop the cooking and prevent sticking. Gluten-free pasta cooks a little differently than wheat pasta, so keep an eye on it and avoid overcooking.
More Recipes to Try
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📖 Recipe
Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb Bowtie Pasta Farfalle
- 1 Cucumber Chopped
- 1 Red Onion Chopped
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Diced
- 2 Plum Tomatoes Chopped
- 2 Bell Peppers Chopped
- 1 bottle Italian Dressing
- ½ cup Fresh Basil Chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the bowtie pasta. Cook based on the package instructions.
- While the pasta cooks, wash and chop all the vegetables. Place them in a large bowl. Cut the cheddar cheese into small pieces and add it to the large mixing bowl.
- When the pasta is done cooking, drain it and run cold water over the pasta. Add the cooled pasta to the large bowl.
- Pour the whole bottle of Italian dressing over the pasta and mix everything together. Serve or refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 2 hours.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, green peppers, black olives, green onions, or whatever your favorite veggies are!
- Keep the pasta salad in an airtight container for at least 5 days.
- This pasta salad is delicious cold or at room temperature.
- Add your favorite protein to this zesty Italian pasta salad. Chick peas, cooked chicken, chopped egg, or cannellini beans would all be delicious and bulk up this cold pasta salad.
Joana says
Amazing dish!
Lynn Polito says
So happy you enjoyed it!
Bonnie says
This is a classic! I use crumbled Feta cheese as a change up. A summer potluck must.
Lynn Polito says
Delicious!