Make this Bow Tie Pasta Salad for the next BBQ, picnic, or family gathering. It will be all dressed up and ready to go!
Nothing says summer more than a cold, creamy pasta salad with lots of fresh vegetables! This bowtie pasta salad has everyone’s favorite vegetables like onions, celery, tomatoes, and black olives mixed with ready-made ranch dressing. Ready in minutes and gone just as fast!
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
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Simple Summer Pasta Salad
- Colorful ingredients, loaded with flavor and texture, make this pasta salad recipe a winner on any picnic or potluck table!
- Make this zesty summer salad in minutes and keep it chilled until ready to serve!
- Make it a main dish with shredded chicken, turkey, ham, or shrimp!
Favorite Fresh Ingredients & Variations
PASTA: Bow tie pasta is a festive-looking pasta with a large surface area that catches the dressing. Choose other larger style noodles like penne, rotini, and large shells that the dressing can cling to.
VEGGIES: Colorful veggies are what make this dish so appealing! Why not add sundried tomatoes, spinach, cucumber, sliced pepperoncini, peas, shredded brussels sprouts or carrots, or some crunchy water chestnuts?
CHEESE: Choose your cheese! Crumbles, shredded, and even cubes will give this salad a new look every time! Try feta, parmesan, mozzarella, blue cheese, and even sharp cheddar.
DRESSING: Ranch dressing is what makes this dish so easy. Just pour and stir! Add some buffalo sauce for a zesty salad or a little sriracha for a more spicy dressing.
How to Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This salad is a colorful and delicious dish.
- Cook, drain, and cool pasta.
- Combine all of the ingredients and mix.
- Refrigerate (as per the recipe below).
- Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper.
Recipe Tips for the Best Pasta Salad
For best results, cook pasta to ‘al dente’. Drain pasta, then ‘shock it’ by placing in a large bowl of ice water, which stops the cooking process and keeps the pasta extra firm.
Shortcut Tips and Tricks
Store leftover bow tie pasta salad in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir and refresh with a little extra ranch dressing before serving again or add fresh pasta.
Other Tasty Pasta Salad Recipes!
- Easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – quick 10 minute prep.
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad – a hearty entree salad.
- Orzo Pasta Salad – so bright and fresh.
- Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe – ready in 30 minutes
- Greek Shrimp Pasta Salad – so light and delish.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bow tie pasta
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup cheese shredded
- ½ red onion diced
- ½ cup celery chopped
- ½ cup tomato diced
- ⅓ cup black olives sliced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta 'al dente' according to package directions. Drain and cool completely.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix until combined.
- Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, and stir before serving.
Notes
- Pro Tip! Cook pasta to ‘al dente’ then drain well. Next, ‘shock' the pasta by placing in a large bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and will help keep the pasta firm.
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving and add a bit of ranch dressing to refresh the flavors.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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