The vibrant Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a celebration of summer on a plate. Juicy cherry tomatoes, tender baby spinach, and rich bocconcini cheese combine with perfectly cooked farfalle and a zesty homemade pesto dressing to create a dish that’s as colorful as it is flavorful. Every bite is a refreshing mix of textures and tastes, making it ideal for BBQs, potlucks, or light weekday lunches.
This recipe offers a wholesome balance of complex carbs, healthy fats, and fiber rich veggies, all brought together by the aromatic punch of basil and the brightness of lemon. Best of all, it’s easily adaptable swap in your favorite greens or cheeses, or add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. Whether served chilled or at room temperature, this dish proves that pasta salads can be both nourishing and exciting.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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12 ounces (about 4 cups) bow tie pasta (farfalle), dry
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2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
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1/4 cup red onion, diced
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1 cup bocconcini cheese, halved
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1 cup fresh spinach, packed and finely chopped
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1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
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3 tablespoons basil pesto
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1/2 lemon, juiced
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Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Directions:
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bow tie pasta until slightly past al dente (around 11-13 minutes), then drain. Optional: rinse briefly under cold water to cool, then toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the basil pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice to form the dressing.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, red onion, bocconcini, chopped spinach, and basil.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
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Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 236 kcal per serving | Servings: 8 side servings
Bow Tie Pasta Salad: A Colorful, Flavorful Summer Classic
When it comes to simple, delicious, and visually stunning summer meals, few dishes rival the classic bow tie pasta salad. Light yet satisfying, this dish is a staple at barbecues, potlucks, and picnics and for good reason. It combines the heartiness of pasta with the freshness of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and cheeses, tied together with a zesty dressing that bursts with flavor.
One of the defining characteristics of this salad is its versatility. From its name alone, the playful shape of bow tie pasta or “farfalle” in Italian evokes a sense of fun and casual charm. It’s the kind of dish that can be whipped up quickly for a family lunch or elevated with gourmet ingredients for a celebratory gathering. But beyond its surface appeal, this pasta salad offers real nutritional benefits and endless opportunities for customization.
Let’s take a deeper dive into why this dish has become such a beloved part of warm-weather cuisine and how it can be tailored to meet a wide variety of tastes and dietary needs.
A Dish Rooted in Italian Tradition
Bow tie pasta, known traditionally as farfalle, has its roots in Northern Italy, with origins dating back as far as the 16th century. The word farfalle translates to “butterflies,” and the pasta’s shape is said to mimic butterfly wings. However, in many parts of the world, particularly English-speaking regions, it’s more commonly referred to as “bow tie” pasta due to its familiar, formalwear-like appearance.
Historically, pasta was created as a way to stretch staple ingredients and make them more filling. As Italian cuisine evolved, the pairing of pasta with fresh produce, herbs, and cheese became central to regional dishes. Pasta salads, although more of a modern invention, take inspiration from those roots combining the simplicity of pasta with fresh Mediterranean ingredients.
This bow tie pasta salad embodies that tradition. With ingredients like fresh basil, ripe cherry tomatoes, and bocconcini cheese, it leans heavily on classic Italian flavor profiles while remaining light and refreshing enough to enjoy even on the hottest summer day.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Appeal
Pasta salads often get a bad reputation for being carb-heavy or calorie-laden, especially those drenched in mayonnaise or creamy dressings. However, this particular bow tie pasta salad offers a much more balanced and nutritious approach.
The base of farfalle pasta provides complex carbohydrates, which are essential for energy and help keep you full longer. When paired with fiber-rich vegetables like spinach and tomatoes, along with heart-healthy fats from olive oil and the natural proteins in mozzarella, this salad becomes more than just a side dish it can easily be a complete meal.
Basil pesto, which serves as the salad’s dressing in this variation, adds another layer of nutritional value. Made from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, pesto brings antioxidants, healthy fats, and a burst of bright, herbaceous flavor to the table. Additionally, the lemon juice in the dressing contributes a dose of vitamin C and adds a fresh zing that balances the richness of the pesto and cheese.
This salad is also easy to adapt to meet dietary restrictions. Need a gluten-free version? Simply substitute regular bow tie pasta for a gluten-free variety made from quinoa, chickpeas, or brown rice. Avoiding dairy? Omit the cheese and use a dairy-free pesto made with nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. These easy tweaks make it a recipe that can be shared with nearly any guest, regardless of their dietary preferences.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
Another reason this bow tie pasta salad is so popular is its practicality. It’s one of those magical dishes that actually gets better after a day in the fridge. The dressing continues to infuse the pasta and vegetables with flavor, making leftovers a treat rather than a chore.
Because it holds up well to refrigeration, it’s ideal for meal prepping. Whether you’re packing lunches for the workweek or preparing for a weekend gathering, you can make a large batch in advance and enjoy it over several days without compromising taste or texture.
Storage is straightforward: simply place the salad in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to five days. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing and feels dry after a couple of days, you can easily freshen it up with an extra drizzle of olive oil or a quick squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Serving Suggestions: From Side Dish to Star of the Show
Traditionally, pasta salads are served as a side dish something to complement the main event. But this bow tie pasta salad is hearty and flavorful enough to stand on its own.
That said, if you’re looking to pair it with a protein for a more balanced plate, the options are endless. Grilled chicken, shrimp, steak, or salmon all work beautifully. For a vegetarian pairing, consider adding grilled tofu or even a hard-boiled egg for extra protein.
At barbecues, it pairs wonderfully with burgers both meat and plant-based and sausages. For a more elegant dinner spread, try serving it alongside lemon-garlic roasted chicken thighs or baked salmon with pesto. Because the salad is served cold or at room temperature, it provides a great contrast to warm, savory mains.
This versatility also makes it an ideal dish to bring to potlucks, picnics, or beach outings. It doesn’t need to be reheated, it travels well, and its bright colors and appealing presentation are always a hit at the table.
Make It Your Own: Creative Variations
One of the best things about this salad is that it’s endlessly customizable. Think of the base recipe as a template—a starting point for your own culinary creativity.
You can switch out the vegetables based on what’s in season or what you have in your fridge. Bell peppers, cucumbers, shredded carrots, roasted zucchini, or even steamed asparagus can all add a new twist. Don’t like red onion? Try green onions or skip the onions altogether.
Cheese options are also flexible. Bocconcini (small mozzarella balls) add a creamy, mild flavor, but you could easily substitute feta for a tangier taste or shaved Parmesan for a saltier, umami-packed profile.
Want to add a bit more zest? Try tossing in some Kalamata olives or sun-dried tomatoes. Craving a little crunch? Top it with toasted pine nuts or crushed walnuts.
For those who enjoy a spicy kick, a sprinkle of red chili flakes or a spoonful of Calabrian chili paste stirred into the dressing will liven things up. You could even swap out the basil pesto for sun-dried tomato pesto or an arugula-based pesto to experiment with new flavor profiles.
A Year-Round Favorite with Seasonal Charm
While this pasta salad truly shines in the summer months when fresh basil and tomatoes are in season, it’s not limited to summertime enjoyment. Thanks to the availability of ingredients year-round, you can recreate this dish even in the colder months to bring a little brightness and freshness to your table.
In winter, you can use oven-roasted cherry tomatoes for a sweeter, concentrated flavor or swap fresh spinach with kale or arugula for a slightly peppery touch. Just a few thoughtful substitutions will keep this dish feeling fresh and seasonally appropriate no matter the time of year.
Conclusion:
The Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a standout in any setting not just because it’s easy to prepare, but because it brings together the best of what a meal should be: vibrant, nourishing, and joyfully sharable. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a dependable side for your next gathering, or a make-ahead dish to stock your fridge with all week, this pasta salad ticks every box.
With its colorful ingredients, crave-worthy texture, and fresh Mediterranean flavors, it’s no wonder this dish continues to be a favorite across kitchens and cultures. Once you’ve made it once, you’ll likely find it becoming a go-to recipe in your seasonal rotation and your guests will thank you every time you bring it to the table.