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    The Best Ever Bowtie Pasta Salad

    Home » Holidays » 4th of July » The Best Ever Bowtie Pasta Salad

    Published: May 18, 2018 · Modified: Apr 17, 2023 by Jessica · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

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    If you are looking for an easy pasta salad recipe this simple and delicious bowtie pasta salad cannot be beat! 

    Once you've tasted this bowtie pasta salad you won't be able to imagine life without it! I am a pasta salad fanatic and it's my favorite pasta salad recipe!

    I grew up on this bowtie pasta salad. It is UNBELIEVABLE. Definitely my favorite pasta salad recipe of. all. time. I literally could live off of it (oh husband, couldn't we eat this every day??) This pasta is light, but filling. A salad that is easy, but tastes gormet. It's unique and boy is it a crowd pleaser! Basically, I think it's pretty good. When I was taking pictures to blog this recipe my hubby said "haven't you already blogged this pasta salad recipe like ten times?" Which illustrates how often I make this classic pasta salad and also how quickly it disappears! 

    Once you've tasted this bowtie pasta salad you won't be able to imagine life without it! I am a pasta salad fanatic and it's my favorite pasta salad recipe!

    The recipe comes from mine and Sarah's bff Abigail's amazing mother Tami. Dear Tami, you should start a blog. Talk about a great cook! Anyway, Tami is one of the Vinegar ladies (you can buy their cookbook here) they teach you to make homemade vinegars (which I do now and I love). I swear vinegar makes any food yummier. However, I know most of you won't have the homemade vinegar this recipe calls for so I have adapted it just a little so I could share this classic pasta salad recipe with you guys today! 

    Bowtie pasta salad with tomatoes, cheese, bacon bits, kidney beans, peas and olives! To die for good!

    Even looking at this bowl of ingredients is making my stomach growl! Best bow tie pasta salad is not an exaggeration! S0, are you ready for the recipe?

    Bowtie Pasta Salad

    Once you've tasted this bowtie pasta salad you won't be able to imagine life without it! I am a pasta salad fanatic and it's my favorite pasta salad recipe!

    Best Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    Once you've tasted this bowtie pasta salad you won't be able to imagine life without it! I am a pasta salad fanatic and it's my favorite pasta salad recipe!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 372kcal
    Author: Pretty Providence

    Video

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz bag bow tie pasta cooked and drained
    • 8 oz bag frozen peas thawed
    • 15 oz can kidney beans drained and rinsed
    • 15 oz can black olives drained
    • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
    • 1 cup real bacon bits
    • 1 cup your favorite italian or red wine vinegar based dressing

    Instructions

    • Cook and drain pasta, while in strainer rinse pasta with cool water. Dump drained pasta into a large bowl. 
    • Add remaining ingredients and toss gently, adding your dressing last. You might want to reserve a little extra dressing, start with less than one cup and add it to taste depending on how you like your salad dressed! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 1064mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 580IU | Vitamin C: 16.9mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1.9mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @prettyprovidenceblog or tag #prettyprovidence!

    Here are answers to a couple of bowtie pasta salad FAQ's! 

    What ingredients go in a pasta salad? 

    Typically a pasta salad consists of cooked and cooled pasta, veggies, cheese and dressing! You can easily add meat or hard boiled eggs to pasta salad as well if you are hoping to make it a main dish rather than a side. 

    What dressing goes on pasta salad? 

    Think about the ingredients in your salad and which type of dressing would pair best with those flavors. For this bowtie pasta salad, I think an italian based dressing or a red wine vinegar based salad dressing tastes the best! Ranch would be yummy too though! 

    Once you've tasted this bowtie pasta salad you won't be able to imagine life without it! I am a pasta salad fanatic and it's my favorite pasta salad recipe!

    If you are going to a big party be prepared for people to devour this bowtie pasta salad yumminess! Consequently, I love when I make it for just my little family because I know I will have leftovers for lunch the next few days, mmm.

    What's your favorite pasta salad?? Let me know in the comments if you have one! Pasta salad is basically like a food group for me so I have tons of recipes I love! 

    Classic Pasta Salad Recipes

    Bruchetta Pasta Salad

    Ranch Bowtie Pasta Salad

    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    Easy Summer Pasta Salad

    xo,

    jessica-about-1

    The Best Ever Bowtie Pasta Salad
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jackie

      June 24, 2019 at 6:56 am

      5 stars
      I made this salad a few months ago and it looks likethe recipe has changed I don't believe it had bacon bits in it and the dressing listed specifically said Paul Newmans creamy ceasar dressing. It was delicious. Why the change? And can you post the original recipe also?

      Reply
    2. Jocelyn

      January 18, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best pasta salad for dinner or potlucks!!! We love it!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 23, 2019 at 1:53 pm

        Thank you so much! So glad you loved it too!

        Reply
    3. Rachael Yerkes

      January 17, 2019 at 12:21 pm

      5 stars
      The perfect potluck recipe. Love how all these ingredients together make something so tasty and simple.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 23, 2019 at 1:53 pm

        Right?! So simple and so good! Thanks Rachael!

        Reply
    4. Allyson Zea

      January 17, 2019 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      This pasta salad is perfect for .a potluck!

      Reply
    5. Andie Thueson

      January 17, 2019 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Yum!! This looks like the perfect side salad!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 23, 2019 at 1:55 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    6. Courtney

      January 17, 2019 at 9:08 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely love this recipe and so does my family!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 23, 2019 at 1:54 pm

        That is so great to hear! Thank you Courtney!

        Reply
    7. Courtney

      January 17, 2019 at 9:07 am

      Absolutely love this recipe and so does my fam!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        January 23, 2019 at 1:55 pm

        Woo Hoo! Thank you so much!

        Reply
    8. Jackie

      November 21, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      This looks so GOOd. Very pleasing to the eye. I'm making it tomorrow and can't wait To taste it.

      Reply
      • Jessica

        December 05, 2018 at 11:39 am

        Yay! I hope you love it!!

        Reply
    9. Lynnette Beste

      May 21, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      This really is the best!

      Reply
    10. Madison Armon

      July 31, 2015 at 8:30 am

      Your grammar and spelling are horrible to be a blogger. Gave me a headache reading it.

      Reply
      • May

        May 20, 2018 at 11:05 am

        5 stars
        Wow, chill.

        can you show us your gammar police badge?

        Reply
    11. Michelle Day

      May 30, 2013 at 8:12 am

      Jessica,
      I love pasta salad and this one looks great! Thanks for sharing at Michelle's Tasty Creations. Have a great weekend :)
      xoxo,
      Michelle

      Reply
    12. Jesseca

      May 13, 2013 at 12:16 pm

      This is so fate. My sister gave me a bag of fancy bow-tie pasta yesterday. I'm going to have to make this!

      Reply
      • Jessica @ Pretty Providence

        May 13, 2013 at 12:33 pm

        Haha totally! I hope you love it!!

        Reply
    13. Lisa Flores

      May 13, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      Mmmm looks and sounds yummy. Especially a nice chilled bowl here in this 100+ weather day in AZ! One Favorite? Not for a carbaholic like me. I love anything pasta. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    14. Karina wetzel

      May 13, 2013 at 11:54 am

      Yumm! I love making pasta salads! I'm going to have to make this one! Thanks for sharing :)!

      Reply
    15. Katie Clark

      May 13, 2013 at 10:09 am

      Yum! Looks so tasty. I love bowtie pasta.

      Reply

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