Name: Cold Bowtie Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 9 min
Ingredients: 6 oz bowtie pasta noodles; ⅔ cup slaw dressing (we like Marzetti brand); 1 pint cherry tomatoes; 3 mini cucumbers

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Bowtie Pasta Salad is one of the easiest pasta salad recipes you’ll ever make. With just four ingredients and barely any prep, this creamy bow tie pasta salad is perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute BBQs, or any time you need a simple side dish without the fuss.

Bowtie Pasta Salad

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What I love most is that the slaw dressing does all the work here. It gives this cold bowtie pasta salad a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. It’s the kind of recipe the kids will eat without complaining, and you can have it ready in about 20 minutes plus a little chill time.

Ingredients & Equipment

Bowtie pasta noodles
Slaw dressing
Cherry tomatoes
Mini cucumbers

Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

You’ll also need a few things from your kitchen:

Cutting board
Knife
Large pot
Colander
Large spoon
Large bowl

Step By Step Directions

This recipe makes 6-10 servings. It takes 10 minutes of prep time and 9 minutes of cook time, plus 1 hour of chill time.

Step 1. Cook the noodles in a large pot according to package directions until al dente. Drain the water, rinse in cold water and add to a large bowl.

Step 2. Stir in the dressing.

Step 3. Cut the cucumbers into slices and the tomatoes in half if they’re large. Add the veggies to the bowl and toss to combine.

Step 4. Cover and chill for 1 hour or until ready to serve.

Variations

Add fresh herbs: A handful of chopped fresh dill or basil stirred in gives this a fresh, summery flavor without much extra effort.
Toss in some cheese: Cubed mozzarella, feta crumbles, or shredded parmesan all go well with the creamy slaw dressing.
Add protein: Diced grilled chicken, chopped ham, or cubed salami turns this into a more filling meal.
Mix in more veggies: Diced red onion, sliced bell peppers, sliced black olives, or shredded carrots are all easy additions.
Try it with ranch: Swap the slaw dressing for ranch dressing if you want a different creamy base. It changes the flavor but it’s still really good.
Add a little kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce in the dressing gives it just enough heat to keep things interesting.

Leftovers & Storage

Store leftover bowtie pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The pasta soaks up the dressing as it sits, so stir in a little extra slaw dressing before serving leftovers. The cucumbers may release a tiny bit of water overnight, so give it a good toss to redistribute everything.

Tips & Tricks

Cook the noodles to al dente. Overcooked bow ties get soft and fall apart in a cold pasta salad. Al dente holds up much better after chilling.
Rinse the noodles well with cold water. You want them completely cooled before adding the dressing so it coats the pasta evenly.
Use Marzetti slaw dressing. It’s the brand we use and it has the perfect creamy, tangy flavor for this recipe. Other slaw dressing brands work too, just pick one you like.
Cut the tomatoes in half only if they’re large. Smaller cherry tomatoes can go in whole, which saves you time and keeps them from getting too juicy in the salad.
Slice the cucumbers thin. Thinner slices mix better with the bow ties and give you cucumber in more bites.
Let it chill the full hour. It tastes fine right away, but the flavors really come together after that hour in the fridge.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make bowtie pasta salad ahead of time? Yes, it’s a great make-ahead recipe. You can prep it the night before and it’s ready to grab and go the next day. Just stir it well and add a little more slaw dressing if it looks dry.

What is slaw dressing? Slaw dressing is a creamy, slightly sweet and tangy dressing typically used for coleslaw. It’s different from mayonnaise because it has vinegar and sugar mixed in. You can find it in the salad dressing aisle at most grocery stores. Marzetti is a popular brand.

Can I use coleslaw dressing from a different brand? Absolutely. Any creamy slaw dressing or coleslaw dressing will work. The flavor might vary slightly between brands, but the result will still be a creamy, tangy pasta salad.

Can I use a different pasta shape? Bow ties are great because they’re fun to eat and hold their shape well, but rotini, penne, or shells all work as substitutes.

Why only four ingredients? Sometimes simple is best. The slaw dressing brings so much flavor on its own that you really don’t need a long ingredient list. That said, you can always add more mix-ins from the variations section if you want to bulk it up.

Is this summer pasta salad good for kids? Yes, the creamy dressing and mild flavors make it really kid-friendly. Most kids love bow tie pasta, and you can always leave out the cucumbers or tomatoes if your kids are picky about veggies.

More Pasta Salad Recipes

Cold Bowtie Pasta Salad

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 9

Set Time: 1

Servings:

Equipment

Ingredients

6 oz bowtie pasta noodles
⅔ cup slaw dressing we like Marzetti brand
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 mini cucumbers

Instructions

Cook the noodles in a large pot according to package directions until al dente. Drain the water, rinse in cold water and add to a large bowl.
Stir in the dressing.
Cut the cucumbers into slices and the tomatoes in half if they're large. Add the veggies to the bowl and toss to combine.
Cover and chill for 1 hour or until ready to serve.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, stirring and adding a little extra slaw dressing before serving if needed.

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