This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is quick, easy and perfect for summer. Pasta salads are essential to every summer BBQ, cookout, picnic or party. Don't leave home without this one!
Summer and pasta salad go together like PB & J. Am I right?
Of course, I'm right!
My brother was over a couple of weeks ago and we were cooking up a storm. We decided to make a bunch of pasta salad recipes because we're crazy like that.
In the Mahaney family making only one of something is absurd. We go big!
No joke, man. We had enough pasta salad to feed an army.
This pasta salad recipe is crazy easy. Some days you just need an easy recipe that doesn't require 10 trips to the store, 19 hours of your time and a brain bleed.
Honestly, cooking should never be stressful. I mean, it should always be fun. That little nugget is some seriously good advice for your life in general.
Less stress, more fun. Let's all make that our motto!
You came. You learned. We made pasta salad.
You're welcome!
Ingredients:
- Dried Pasta: To be honest, I love bow noodles for pasta salad because it makes it look pretty. You can use spaghetti noodles if you prefer.
- Salad Dressing: For this recipe, I used Italian dressing but if you prefer another kind have at it.
- Veggies: This pasta salad is loaded with carrots and celery. You can add other veggies if you like.
- Spices: Red pepper flakes, salt and pepper are used in this pasta salad recipe. Feel free to use whatever spices you love.
Directions:
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First, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Then salt the water generously. Add bow tie pasta to pot and cook bow noodles according to the package directions. Drain but do not rinse. Then set aside.
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Next, cut up your veggies and set aside.
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In a large bowl, mix your cooked pasta, veggies, Italian dressing, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
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Then, cover and store in the fridge until needed.
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Serve room temperature or cold.
How to Store:
- First, allow pasta salad to cool before storing.
- Then, transfer pasta salad to an airtight container and seal well.
- Finally, store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Can it be Frozen:
- Honestly, I do not recommend freezing pasta salad. It changes the texture and doesn't taste as good as fresh.
Other Veggies you can use in Bow Tie Pasta Salad:
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Cherry Tomato
- Cauliflower
- Peppers
- Zucchini
- Corn
- Peas
- Snow Peas
- Asparagus
Other Recipes you can serve with Bow Tie Pasta Salad:
- Grilled Beer Brats with Boozy Salsa
- Fajita Hot Dogs
- Mexican Hot Dogs
- Grilled Flank Steak with Chipotle Butter
- Sausage Smashed Burger
- Onion Ring Cheeseburger
- Chicken, Peach and Sausage Kebabs
- Fundido Sausage Dogs
- Vampire Steaks with Garlic Red Wine Reduction
- Grilled Sausage with Peppers and Onions
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Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb bow tie pasta (farfalle)
- 16 oz Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water. Bring to a boil. Salt the water generously. Add bow tie pasta to pot. Cook bow noodles according to the package directions. Drain but do not rinse. Set aside.
- Cut up your veggies. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix your cooked pasta, veggies, Italian dressing, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
- Cover and store in fridge if not serving immediately.
- Serve room temperature or cold.
Notes
Nutrition
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Toodles! xx
Ann
Thank you for sharing...did not make this yet, but will soon. Seems like it will go with anything - moved recently and lots of company will be coming. This will be the perfect make ahead side!
Kimberly@FoodTalko
My kids will definitely gonna love this recipe. Can't wait to try.
Shirley Wood
This recipe is right up my taste buds alley! YUM! I selected this post as a Feature for Merry Monday this week! So glad you party with us. Can't wait to see what's next!
Baxter@Foodtalko
This looks absolutely delicious.. have to try it!
John / Kitchen Riffs
Love pasta salads! And you're right -- perfect for summer. One of those dishes we make at least a couple of times a month. So easy to mix and match ingredients in them, too. Anyway, this looks great -- thanks.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much John. Hope you and Mrs. Riffs have been well. I feel like it's been forever since we chatted.
Amy
Hey - why not rinse the pasta? Curious!
Kim Beaulieu
Hi Amy. You can if you prefer to rinse yours. I don't like rinsing pasta because I find everything sticks better when I don't. I typically don't rinse any kind of pasta for any recipes any more. For anything like bolognese or spaghetti I'll even add a bit of pasta water to the dish to help thicken and, for lack of a better word, glue everything together.
Amy
This is perfect for any gathering. I like to make it for myself to eat for weekday lunches too!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Amy. That's a great idea to eat it for lunch too!
Jen West
Thank you for sharing this looks amazing! I love pasta salads and I can't wait to make this again. #KEEPER
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much Jen.
Amanda
We love pasta salad and I like the idea to add veggies! Will definitely try this.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Amanda. Hope you love it!
Liz
SO easy and versatile! I added whatever veggies I had in my fridge and we all loved it!!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks so much. Glad you all loved it!
ashok
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks.