This is one of the most requested pasta salads at our summer gatherings, and for good reason! This delicious Italian Pasta Salad is loaded with flavor and fresh ingredients. This is a simple salad to make, so it’s easy to toss together for last-minute guests too!
One of our favorite summer salads, this Italian pasta salad is full of fresh ingredients and takes just minutes to toss together. Perfect for the summertime months! It’s delicious, filling, and easy to make.
So if you’re looking for a quick and healthy lunch or dinner option, give this recipe a try! Also, try making this for your next BBQ, I just know everyone will love it. Be sure to keep this easy recipe in your favorites!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Makes plenty for a party – There will be enough to go around, but you could easily make more if needed.
- Make ahead – This dish actually benefits from time spent in the fridge. Make it on the morning that you need it or even the night before.
Recommended Tools
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Large stockpot
- Large colander
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- Bowtie pasta
- Italian dressing
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Cherry tomatoes
- Black olives
- Green pepper
How to Make Italian Pasta Salad
1. Fill a stockpot halfway with water, bring it to a boil, and add the pasta. Boil over high heat for 8-10 minutes until pasta is al dente. If you want, try a piece to make sure you have the right texture before taking it off the boil.
2. Drain using a colander, and rinse noodles under cold water. This will ensure that you bring down the temperature of the pasta quickly and stops the cooking process.
3. Chop the green pepper into ½ inch pieces.
4. Add 1 cup of dressing, parmesan, and Italian seasoning to a small bowl, and stir to combine.
5. Add noodles to a large bowl, and pour dressing over, then toss to coat.
6. Add the tomatoes, olives, and chopped peppers, and toss to combine.
7. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
8. Before serving, add the additional ¼ cup of dressing and gently toss.
9. Top with extra parmesan if desired. Enjoy!
Substitutions & Variations
- If you wanted to add to this pasta, you could look at adding more ingredients. You could then enjoy this as a full summer meal rather than a side dish or lunch. A great tip is to add some leftover meat to it. Roast chicken, gammon, or ham would work well.
- This is a great dish to make ahead for lunches at school or to take with you on a picnic. Make it in the morning and let it refrigerate before packing it up for lunch on the go.
- This is a great side dish for BBQs or when you have some cold meats to eat on a warm summer’s evening. You could also add other vegetables to the salad.
Notes and Tips
- You can make this salad the day before. Just add a little bit more Italian dressing, and toss before serving.
- Make sure you test your pasta before taking it off the boil. It can vary in cooking length from around 8-10 minutes.
- Ensure you run cold water over the pasta for as long as it takes to bring the temperature right down. This stops the pasta from continuing to cook with heat and steam.
- Make sure you refrigerate the dish before serving. It gives the dressing a chance to marinade the pasta and the extra ingredients and ensures that the pasta is refreshing.
- Store refrigerated in an airtight container.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can serve it in a large bowl for everyone to portion up themselves, as a complete meal, or as a side dish for cooked meats.
Yes, it does need to be made ahead of time as it is a dish that requires time in the fridge. You need to make this at least one hour before you need it. A great tip is to make it on the morning you need it or even the night before.
If you have any leftovers or while you are refrigerating the pasta salad, it would need to be stored in an airtight container. This ensures that the pasta stays fresh.
It will last in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
I hope you enjoy your Bow Tie Italian Pasta Salad. If so, please leave a star ★★★★★ rating and a comment below!
Bow Tie Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 ¼ cup Italian dressing divided
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 6 oz can black olives
- 1 green pepper chopped
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Large stockpot
- Large colander
- Large bowl
Instructions
- Fill a stockpot halfway with water, bring to a boil, and add the pasta. Boil over high heat for 8-10 minutes, until pasta is al dente.
- Drain using a colander, and rinse noodles under cold water.
- Chop the green pepper into ½ inch pieces.
- Add 1 cup of dressing, parmesan, and Italian seasoning to a small bowl, and stir to combine.
- Add noodles to a large bowl, and pour dressing over, then toss to coat.
- Add the tomatoes, olives, and chopped peppers, and toss to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.
- Before serving, add the additional ¼ cup of dressing, and gently toss.
- Top with extra parmesan if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, is intended to serve as an estimate only, and is provided for informational purposes. The accuracy of nutritional information is not guaranteed.
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