Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad

A chilled pasta salad almost always features on my table during the warmer months when we get to enjoy the outdoors again and have friends and family over for a barbecue.

Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad in a serving bowl

This Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad boasts the freshest of produce, whether store-bought or plucked from your own home garden. It’s bright and welcoming which is exactly what you want in a delicious pasta salad that you can serve as a side dish or enjoy alone as a light meal.

The creamy and tangy dressing infuses throughout the cooked pasta as well as all other salad ingredients. And yes, you guessed right – this Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad tastes just as good the following day! 

Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad on a plate

RECIPE TIPS

  • Feel free to use the same color peppers for this salad or a combination of peppers for a colorful salad.
  • You can make this dish ahead of time either by preparing and refrigerating the ingredients separately from the pasta and making the pasta just prior to serving OR making the entire pasta salad and then adding a few teaspoons of olive oil or extra dressing to moisten the salad just prior to serving. 
  • If you have any leftover cooked chicken in your fridge, add this to your pasta salad to create a new meal with this recipe. It’s why I love keeping extra shredded chicken on hand. 
  • You can opt for bacon instead of ham for this pasta salad.

How to Make Summer Bowtie Salad

  1. Cook pasta according to the instructions on the to al dente. While the pasta is cooking, cut vegetables, ham and cheese .ingredients for summer bowtie pasta salad
  2. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
  3. Add pasta to large bowl. Add cut vegetables, ham and cheese and stir to combine.ingredients for summer bowtie pasta salad in a large mixing bowl
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth. Pour over pasta salad and toss to combine.small bowl of dressing next to bowl of pasta salad
  5. Cover and refrigerate until chilled at least 3-4 hours.Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad in a large mixing bowl
  6. Serve cold. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

CAN I MAKE THIS PASTA SALAD VEGETARIAN?

  • Yes, definitely! While this recipe includes ham, you can easily omit it for a vegetarian pasta dish!

HOW SHOULD I STORE THIS SUMMER BOWTIE PASTA SALAD?

  • You can store this pasta salad in the refrigerator for 3-5 days if kept in an airtight container.
  • I don’t recommend that you store it in the freezer as the pasta is likely to become mushy and soggy once thawed out. 

WHAT CAN I SERVE THIS PASTA SALAD WITH?

  • Most pasta salads are served as side dishes. This Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad can be enjoyed as a light lunch or added to your main dinner meal.
  • If you choose to enjoy it as a side dish, consider adding it to some grilled chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, or kebabs. 
  • This pasta salad is also delicious as a main meal that you can enjoy with some sliced baguette bread.  
4 from 3 votes

Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad

This Summer Bowtie Pasta Salad boasts the freshest of produce, whether store-bought or plucked from your own home garden.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound farfalle pasta
  • ¾ cup cherry tomatoes cut in half or quartered
  • ¾ cup broccoli cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup ham diced
  • 1 cup mild cheese or your favorite diced
  • 2 tablespoons red bell pepper diced **see notes
  • 2 tablespoons yellow bell pepper diced
  • 2 tablespoons orange bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup cucumber sliced

For Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon dried chives
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to the instructions on the to al dente. While the pasta is cooking, cut vegetables, ham and cheese .
  • Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
  • Add pasta to large bowl. Add cut vegetables, ham and cheese and stir to combine
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth. Pour over pasta salad and toss to combine
  • Cover and refrigerate until chilled at least 3-4 hours
  • Serve cold. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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4 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made it this morning before it got too warm and then served tonight along with some cut up watermelon and radishes on the side. An incredible summer meal. Made enough for the two of us to have for lunch tomorrow too. Thank you for great recipe.

    1. therockstarmommyblog says:

      Thank you so much for stopping by to share! I am so happy you love the recipe!

  2. This salad is a hit in my house! Is there a way to make the dressing slightly healthier? Maybe plain Greek yogurt instead of Mayo?

    1. therockstarmommyblog says:

      Yes! I love swapping in Greek Yogurt for a healthy version for recipes.