This Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is served cold and is a light side dish tossed with feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and more and is perfect for summer. Drizzle it in our homemade dressing made with olive oil and vinegar.
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What Type of Pasta to Use
You can use whatever you like. I use farfalle, which is in the shape of bow ties. Rotini is another favorite of mine for pasta salads. Something like penne, spaghetti, or linguine will also work.
Homemade Italian Dressing
I like to use my Homemade Italian Dressing recipe for this salad. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought version if you wish. Key ingredients for the dressing are:
- White or Red Wine Vinegar
- Olive Oil (Extra virgin Olive Oil)
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Lemon Juice
- Sweetener or Sugar
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta in accordance with package instructions.
- Combine the pasta, Italian dressing, cucumbers, onions, feta, black olives, mixed greens, tomatoes, and peas in a large bowl.
- Chill.
Additional Toppings and Ideas
- Chopped Broccoli
- Chopped Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Chopped Dill Pickles
- Sweet Pickle Relish
- Bacon
- Chicken Breast
- Shrimp
- Jalapenos
- Celery
- Red Peppers
- Green Peppers
- Creole Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Homemade BBQ Seasoning
Can You Omit the Feta Cheese?
Yes. You can also substitute it for any cheese you like.
How Long Can it Sit Out
It can sit out 1-2 hours. It takes about 2 hours for bacteria to start to grow to dangerous levels. In warm temperatures, that time shrinks. You can read the Food Safety Guidance from the FDA here.
Can You Make it Ahead of Time/How Long Does it Last in the Fridge
Yes, store the salad in the fridge (tightly covered) for up to 3-4 days. When the salad sits in the fridge overnight (or for several hours), the pasta will absorb a lot of the moisture and flavor from the dressing. If you like a slick/moist texture you will need to refresh it with more dressing.
If you plan to make it ahead, add the dressing when you plan to serve the dish.
Can You Freeze It?
I recommend freezing it without the dressing. It will last tightly sealed and covered for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
Pair With These Recipes
How to Grill Chicken Wings
Traeger Smoked Salmon
Dry Rub Chicken Wings
Chicken and Avocado Salsa
Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
How to Grill the Best Burgers
Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken
Traeger Smoked Brisket
Slow Cooker Crockpot Ribs
More Salad and Pasta Salad Recipes
Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
Mango Fruit Salad
Watermelon Salad with Feta
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Rotini Vegetable Pasta Salad
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
Southwest Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Get a full listing of BBQ and Cookout Recipes here.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- 12 oz farfalle pasta
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach or mixed greens
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- 1 cup cooked or steamed peas
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes Sliced in half. You can use any tomatoes.
- 1/3 cup feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped onions I used red onions.
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
Optional Homemade Italian Dressing (You can use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of your favorite Italian dressing)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons red or white vinegar See notes.
- 1 teaspoon sweetener or sugar See notes.
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the farfalle in accordance with the package instructions.
- Rinse the farfalle in cold water and pat dry.
- Add the farfalle to your serving dish along with the remaining ingredients including the Italian dressing. Taste repeatedly and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Chill for a minimum of 1 hour. 2-3 hours is optimal.
Homemade Italian Dressing
- Combine the ingredients in bowl or measuring cup.
- Taste repeatedly and adjust the spices to suit your taste if necessary.
Notes
- I tested the homemade Italian dressing using both red and white vinegar. I noticed a subtle difference, but it wasn’t too major. The red wine vinegar had a little more of a bite to it. You can like likely reduce it some with more lemon juice or sweetener/sugar. Overall, I felt like white vinegar works best and you are more likely to have it on hand using it for other things.
- Adjust the sugar or sweetener to taste or omit it if you wish. It helps balance out the tanginess from the vinegar.
- Feel free to substitute any of the veggies, pasta, or ingredients used in this recipe. Use your favorite foods.
Sharon
Wednesday 6th of July 2022
Made it with green peppers and red onion and peas and chopped black olives and I used Gorgonzola cheese and Olive Garden dressing. Excellent!! Bow Tie pasta.
staysnatched
Thursday 7th of July 2022
Wonderful.
Kalera
Wednesday 15th of June 2022
I made this and loved it! I used broccoli instead of spinach/greens and added shrimp.
staysnatched
Saturday 18th of June 2022
Wonderful. I'm glad you enjoyed it.