Light, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is the perfect side dish for any occasion! Made with tender farfalle pasta, crisp veggies, tangy black olives, and savory feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that’s quick to whip up. Whether you’re serving it at a summer BBQ, packing it for lunch, or prepping it ahead for a busy weeknight, this easy pasta salad is refreshing and satisfying.
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Key Ingredients
I don’t wait until cookout season to make pasta salads. They make great meals all year long.
- Farfalle (Bow Tie) Pasta – The perfect pasta for a salad! It adds a fun, elegant look to the dish.
- Spinach or Mixed Greens – A fresh, vibrant addition that brings color, texture, and nutrients to the salad. The greens add a slight crispness and balance out the heartiness of the pasta.
- Cucumbers – Cool, refreshing, and hydrating, cucumbers add a satisfying crunch that complements the softer ingredients.
- Peas – A pop of natural sweetness that pairs well with the savory elements. Peas also add a little protein and fiber, making the salad more balanced and filling.
- Tomatoes – Juicy and slightly tangy, tomatoes add brightness and acidity to the dish. Cherry or grape tomatoes work best since they hold their shape and burst with flavor in every bite.
- Feta Cheese – Creamy, tangy, and slightly salty, feta enhances the flavor of the salad without overpowering the other ingredients. It pairs perfectly with the Italian dressing and olives.
- Onions – Whether using red onions for a sharp bite or green onions for a milder touch, they add a layer of depth and crunch to the salad.
- Black Olives – Salty and briny, black olives bring a Mediterranean-inspired touch that pairs well with feta and Italian dressing. Their bold flavor helps balance out the freshness of the veggies.
- Italian Dressing – The key to bringing everything together! This tangy, herby dressing coats the pasta and vegetables, infusing the salad with bold, zesty flavors. Its oil-based consistency helps prevent the pasta from drying out.
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.
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Pasta Salad
Follow these tips to make a perfect salad every time.
- Using the Wrong Type of Pasta: Choosing pasta that’s too soft or delicate, which can become mushy in the dressing.
- Fix: Use sturdy shapes like the one noted above—they hold their shape and grab onto the dressing better.
- Overcooking or Undercooking the Pasta: Overcooked pasta turns mushy, while undercooked pasta stays too firm when chilled.
- Fix: Cook pasta 1-2 minutes past al dente (it firms up when cooled) and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Adding Dressing Too Early (or Too Late): If you dress the pasta while it’s hot, it can absorb too much and turn gummy. If you wait too long, the dressing won’t coat the pasta evenly.
- Fix: Toss the pasta with half the dressing while it’s warm, then add the rest just before serving for fresh flavor and texture.
- Forgetting to Balance Flavors & Textures: A pasta salad without enough variety can taste one-dimensional (too creamy, too dry, or too bland).
- Fix: Add a mix of textures (crunchy veggies, soft cheese, chewy pasta) and flavors (acid from vinegar or lemon, saltiness from olives or feta, sweetness from cherry tomatoes or corn).
- Not Seasoning Properly: One thing I don’t struggle with is adding seasoning. Pasta absorbs a lot of flavor, so a bland salad can be disappointing. Always season to suit your taste!
- Fix: Salt the pasta water generously when cooking, and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, herbs) just before serving. A splash of extra dressing right before serving also helps!
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 with Italian Dressing
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- 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 Substitutions/Variations/Toppings
Here are some of my favorite ways to switch this up.
- 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
How to Keep Pasta Salad from Absorbing Dressing
Toss pasta with half the dressing while it’s slightly warm, then add the rest right before serving for a fresh, flavorful finish. You can also toss the pasta with a small amount of olive oil to create a light barrier (before adding the dressing) that slows down absorption.
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.
Should You Make Pasta Salad the Night Before/Ahead of Time?
You can! Prepping ahead means less work before serving, perfect for parties or busy weeknights. Pasta salad tastes best when it has had time to cool in the fridge. Making it the night before can actually enhance the flavor—but with a few key adjustments to keep it fresh and vibrant.
- Use a Little Less Dressing at First – Pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so save some to mix in just before serving to keep it fresh and flavorful.
- Store Veggies Separately (If They Release Water) – Ingredients like tomatoes or cucumbers can make the salad watery. Add them in the next day for the best texture.
- Toss Before Serving – Give the salad a good mix and a splash of extra dressing, olive oil, or lemon juice to revive the flavors.
- Keep It Covered – Store pasta salad in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
How Long it Lasts in the Fridge
Store fully prepped/leftover salad in the fridge (tightly covered) for up to 3-4 days.
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
How to Grill the Best Burgers
Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken
Traeger Smoked Brisket
Slow Cooker Crockpot Ribs
More Salad and Pasta Salad Recipes
Mango Fruit Salad
Watermelon Salad with Feta
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
Southwest Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Get a full listing of BBQ and Cookout Recipes here.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Want to save this recipe for later?
I’ll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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.