If you are looking for an easy pasta salad recipe this simple and delicious bowtie pasta salad cannot be beat!
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!
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!
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
Best Bow Tie Pasta Salad
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
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!
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
xo,
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?
This is the best pasta salad for dinner or potlucks!!! We love it!
Thank you so much! So glad you loved it too!
The perfect potluck recipe. Love how all these ingredients together make something so tasty and simple.
Right?! So simple and so good! Thanks Rachael!
This pasta salad is perfect for .a potluck!
Yum!! This looks like the perfect side salad!
Thank you so much!
Absolutely love this recipe and so does my family!
That is so great to hear! Thank you Courtney!
Absolutely love this recipe and so does my fam!
Woo Hoo! Thank you so much!
This looks so GOOd. Very pleasing to the eye. I’m making it tomorrow and can’t wait To taste it.
Yay! I hope you love it!!
This really is the best!
Your grammar and spelling are horrible to be a blogger. Gave me a headache reading it.
Wow, chill.
can you show us your gammar police badge?
Jessica,
I love pasta salad and this one looks great! Thanks for sharing at Michelle’s Tasty Creations. Have a great weekend :)
xoxo,
Michelle
This is so fate. My sister gave me a bag of fancy bow-tie pasta yesterday. I’m going to have to make this!
Haha totally! I hope you love it!!
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!
Yumm! I love making pasta salads! I’m going to have to make this one! Thanks for sharing :)!
Yum! Looks so tasty. I love bowtie pasta.