Get ready to create the most vibrant and delicious Bow Tie Pasta Salad you’ve ever tasted. This recipe is your ticket to a perfect side dish for summer barbecues, a light lunch, or a simple weeknight dinner. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and tossed in a zesty homemade Italian vinaigrette that brings everything together. Forget boring, soggy pasta salads; this one is designed for maximum flavor and perfect texture, every single time. We’re not just making a salad; we’re creating a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
This easy pasta salad comes together quickly and is endlessly customizable. It’s the kind of dish that looks as good as it tastes, with a rainbow of colors from cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and sharp red onion. Let’s dive in and make a pasta salad that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe
There are countless reasons this will become your go-to pasta salad. It strikes the perfect balance of flavors and textures, from the tender pasta to the crunchy vegetables and creamy feta. It’s a true celebration of simple, fresh ingredients.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The homemade zesty Italian vinaigrette is miles better than any store-bought version and soaks into every noodle.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Serve it at potlucks, picnics, or as a simple side. It travels well and is always a hit.
- Quick and Easy: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for even the most novice home cook.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite veggies, protein, or cheese. This recipe is a fantastic starting point.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Pasta Salad
The beauty of this cold pasta salad recipe lies in its simplicity and freshness. Using high-quality ingredients is the key to achieving the best possible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need.
For the Salad
- Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle): Their unique shape is perfect for catching the dressing and small bits of veggies.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved for juicy bursts of sweetness in every bite.
- Cucumber: We’re using an English cucumber for its crisp texture and lack of waxy skin.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced to provide a sharp, zesty counterpoint.
- Kalamata Olives: Their briny, savory flavor adds a classic Mediterranean touch.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled for creamy, tangy pockets of flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a bright, herbaceous note that freshens up the whole dish.
For the Zesty Italian Vinaigrette
- Olive Oil: The foundation of our dressing. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Provides the perfect tangy kick.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for brightness.
- Dijon Mustard: Helps to emulsify the dressing, making it smooth and creamy.
- Garlic: Finely minced for a pungent, aromatic flavor.
- Dried Oregano: A classic herb that is essential for that signature Italian taste.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To season and enhance all the other flavors.
How to Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad Step-by-Step
Making this farfalle pasta salad is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Chop the Vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the fresh parsley.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and chopped parsley.
- Dress and Toss: Pour about two-thirds of the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Add the crumbled feta cheese and toss again lightly.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, give it another gentle toss and add the remaining dressing if needed.
Tips from a Seasoned Pro for the Best Results
A few simple tricks can elevate your bow tie pasta salad from good to unforgettable.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente. It will soften slightly as it absorbs the dressing, so you want it to have a slight bite initially. For a perfect side dish to go with this salad, consider this creamy lemon chicken orzo.
- Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the pasta under cold water is crucial. It stops the cooking and removes excess starch, which prevents the salad from becoming gummy.
- Dress it While Warm (Slightly): While you cool the pasta, it’s okay if it’s slightly warm when you add the dressing. This helps the pasta absorb the flavor more effectively.
- Reserve Some Dressing: Pasta salad can dry out as it sits. Always reserve some dressing to add just before serving to freshen it up.
Delicious Variations to Try
This recipe is a wonderful canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to change things up:
- Add Protein: Make it a main course by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for a plant-based option. Our Italian herb chicken (coming soon) recipe would be a perfect addition.
- Switch up the Veggies: Bell peppers, artichoke hearts, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes are all fantastic additions.
- Try Different Cheeses: Small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or shaved Parmesan cheese work beautifully.
- Make it Creamy: For a creamy pasta salad dressing, add a couple of tablespoons of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to the vinaigrette.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is perfect for meal prep. You can make it a day in advance for even better flavor. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If making ahead, keep the feta cheese and about a third of the dressing separate. Add them just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant. If you’re looking for another great make-ahead dish, this classic three-bean salad is always a winner.
What to Serve with Your Pasta Salad
This versatile salad pairs well with almost anything, especially grilled meats and sandwiches. It’s a fantastic companion to shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches, grilled salmon, or simple burgers. It’s also substantial enough to be enjoyed on its own for a light and satisfying lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish! In fact, it often tastes better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. For best results, store the salad and about one-third of the dressing separately. Add the reserved dressing and any delicate ingredients like fresh herbs just before serving.
To prevent soggy pasta, cook it until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). Immediately after draining, rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and wash away excess starch. Finally, toss it with a portion of the dressing while it’s still slightly warm to help it absorb flavor without becoming mushy.
When stored properly in an airtight container, bow tie pasta salad will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. The texture may soften slightly over time, but it will still be delicious.
A classic bow tie pasta salad typically includes bow tie (farfalle) pasta, a variety of fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, along with cheese like feta or mozzarella, and a vinaigrette dressing. Olives and fresh herbs are also common additions.
Short, sturdy pasta shapes with plenty of nooks and crannies are best for pasta salad because they hold the dressing and other ingredients well. Bow ties (farfalle), rotini, penne, and fusilli are all excellent choices.
Tried This Recipe?
We love to see your creations! If you make this Bow Tie Pasta Salad, let us know how it turned out in the comments below. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest so you can find it later!
Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe
Bow Tie Pasta Salad (The Only Recipe You'll Ever Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Chop the Vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the fresh parsley.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and chopped parsley.
- Dress and Toss: Pour about two-thirds of the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Add the crumbled feta cheese and toss again lightly.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, give it another gentle toss and add the remaining dressing if needed.
Notes
Tip 2: For extra flavor, let the salad marinate in the dressing for at least an hour before serving.
Tip 3: Always reserve some dressing to add just before serving to freshen up the salad, as the pasta will absorb it as it sits.
