Ah, pasta salad. I really adore pasta salad. This Italian bow tie pasta salad is great for a side dish, potlucks, picnics, baby showers, or when you have leftover pasta you need to use up. Not only is this pasta salad versatile but it so easy to make. This pasta salad uses Italian dressing which gives it a zesty flavor.
The ingredients in this recipe are pretty flexible, so you can use what you like or what you have on hand. I love making this pasta salad with bow tie pasta since it is one of my daughter’s favorite types of pasta. Instead of bow tie pasta she calls it butterfly pasta (she’s also two). For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out what she was saying. More butterfly? But I finally figured out she wanted more butterfly noodles (aka bow tie pasta).
What kind of pasta should I use in pasta salad?
I love using bow tie pasta (also called farfalle pasta) with this recipe but if you don’t have bow tie on hand you can also use rotini, penne, or macaroni noodles.
How long is this pasta salad good for?
This pasta salad is good for four to five days in your fridge. Be sure to store it in an airtight container.
What ingredients do I need for this recipe?
To make this recipe, you will need:
- Red bell pepper
- Yellow bell pepper
- Italian dressing (I used Newman’s Own)
- Hard salami
- Ham
- Colby jack cheese
- Pasta (I used bow tie)
This recipe is very flexible, if you want to leave something out or add something (like pepperoni, tomatoes, cucumbers, cauliflower florets, etc.). You can also use macaroni, penne, or rotini noodles if you don’t have any bow tie pasta on hand. This also a great recipe to use up leftover ham from Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter.
How long should this recipe marinate for?
Let this bow tie pasta salad marinate for at least three hours before serving. If possible, marinate overnight for the best flavor.
Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced with the stems and seeds removed
- 1 yellow bell pepper finely diced with the stems and seeds removed
- 1 bottle Italian salad dressing (I used Newman's Own)
- ½ cup hard salami cut into small chunks
- 1 block colby jack (about 8 ounces) cut into small chunks
- 1 cup ham cut into small chunks (or use pre-cubed)
- 1 lb bow tie pasta
Instructions
- Begin by boiling the pasta and cooking it per the directions on the box.
- Run the pasta under cool water and drain.
- Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and stir well.
- Let marinate for at least three hours before serving. If possible, marinate overnight for the best flavor.
I hope you enjoyed this bow tie pasta salad recipe. If you need even more recipes then be sure to check out our Take a Recipe and Leave a Recipe group on Facebook.
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Addison
This is such a great side dish! Yum!!
Krist
This is very good!
Alexandra
Such delicious flavours! The weather is so warm here at the moment, and we have been enjoying this on repeat!
Liz
what a yummy salad! Growing up my mom would always use Italian dressing for pasta salad too!
Ksenia
Such a simple, filling salad – this would be delicious with any meal!
Marcellina
What a delicious pasta salad with classic flavours!
Kyleigh
So easy and delicious!
Maddie
So easy and kid-friendly!