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This bow tie pasta salad is colorful, packed with flavor, and made to feed a crowd. It’s the perfect make-ahead dish for potlucks, backyard barbecues, or family dinners.
Made with tender pasta, crisp vegetables, two kinds of cheese, and zesty Italian dressing, this salad is as satisfying as it is simple. And since it makes at least 12 servings, it’s ideal for gatherings, but also easy to cut in half for a smaller group.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad
There’s a reason this has become my go-to summer side dish. The bow tie pasta holds onto all the flavor, and the mix of raw vegetables adds a satisfying crunch in every bite.
It’s bright, fresh, and super adaptable depending on what you have on hand.
Want it vegan? Skip the Parmesan or swap in a dairy-free version. Looking for protein? Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or salami to make it a meal.
Recipe Tips
A few things I’ve learned while making this salad over the years:
- Cook the pasta al dente – Just a couple minutes shy of fully cooked keeps the texture from getting mushy.
- Use a good dressing – Bottled Italian dressing works just fine, but if you have a homemade version, even better.
- Dice the veggies small – It makes every bite feel balanced and flavorful.
- Let it sit – The flavors get even better after the salad rests in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight).
Storage and Make-Ahead
This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you’re making it ahead of time, reserve a bit of the dressing to toss in just before serving. It helps refresh the flavor and texture.
These same tips also apply to my other pasta salad recipes including Antipasto Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, and Homemade Macaroni Salad.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bow tie pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced bell peppers I used a mixture of red, orange, and yellow
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1/3 cup diced celery
- 1/3 cup diced green onions
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces diced mozzarella you can use mozzarella in a solid log or a softer version in liquid
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 8 ounces Italian salad dressing
- handful of freshly minced basil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook 16 ounces bow tie pasta according to package directions, only stop cooking a couple minutes before recommended time so that pasta is a bit al dente. Toss the drained pasta in 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking, set aside.
- In a very large bowl, combine 1 cup diced bell peppers, 1 cup diced carrots, 1/3 cup diced celery, 1/3 cup diced green onions. 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 8 ounces diced mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan. Toss to combine. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together to combine. Add 8 ounces Italian salad dressing and toss once more to fully combine.
- Before serving, garnish with a handful of freshly minced basil and salt & pepper to taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this and it was too much veggies and not enough pasta. I doubled the pasta, and it was still not enough pasta.
Sorry to hear that! I tend to go a little overboard with the veggies with a lot of my recipes. Pasta salad is definitely a personal preference kind of thing too.
Simple to make and delicious! I have made this a few times for outside parties and it’s always a hit!
The flavors (and colors) in this salad are SO good!! It was so easy to make and my whole family loved it. We are ‘picnicking’ on our back deck alot at the moment and this recipe will be on regular rotation.
This is definitely a summertime staple! We never have leftovers once this is made. Such a favorite with my boys.
Yum! Pasta Salads are delicious and this recipe of yours is making me crave! My son really loves eating Pasta salad and I’m sure he will love this, too. Looks really scrumptious!
Pasta salads are a must at a picnic. So many different ways to make them too.
This was a winner with my family. Quick and easy lunch.
Simple, easy, comforting. Just the king of food we need most of the time. And so flavorful too.
What an amazing pasta salad. Haha I’m so similar – when I was younger, I was like pasta salad? NO thanks. But what a delicious thing it is! And yes, a good grilled hot dog… Can’t even go there!!