Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Looking for the best pasta salad recipe? This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a little bit different than your typical pasta salad recipe, and a salad you’ll want to make year after year!

I love a good pasta salad – some other great suggestions are this Artichoke Pasta Salad, Oriental Pasta Salad, or this Caesar Salad with Pasta.

My Favorite Pasta Salad

I’m always looking for a good side dish that is great for crowds. I first made this Bow Tie Pasta Salad over 10 years ago and it instantly became a favorite. I have made it over and over again over the years.

This is one of those dishes that you look at the ingredients and wonder how they all work together, but they really do. This salad is so good – take it to a potluck and people are going to be asking for the recipe!

Don’t let the list of ingredients throw you off. Grapes? In a pasta salad? Just trust me that it all works together so well, and that this will soon become a summer favorite of yours, too.

Ingredients

Here is what you’ll need to make this pasta salad:

• Bow Tie Pasta: Of course you could use another cut of pasta, but I would stick with something short cut like bow tie pasta.
• Mayonnaise: I have only tested this with full fat mayonnaise, but I’m guessing it would work just fine with light.
• Sour Cream: Same as the mayonnaise, I have only used full fat, but light sour cream should work, as well.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, any kind of vinegar should work.
• Sugar: This may seem like an unexpected ingredient, but it really helps to balance the flavors.
• Salt and Pepper: I give amounts in the recipe, but you can always add more to taste.
• Dried Dill: I like dried dill because I always have it, but fresh dill would work, as well. If using fresh, you’ll need about 1/4 tablespoon, or just shy of a teaspoon. I actually really love dill, so I always end up adding more!
• Ham: This salad is a great way to use up leftover ham. But I don’t often have leftover ham in the summer, when I tend to make this salad, so I’ll buy a ham steak at the grocery store and cut it into cubes.
• Grapes: I know it’s not a common pasta salad recipe, but the grapes really make this salad stand out from other pasta salads. The combination of sweet and savory really works here!
• Cheese: I always use sharp cheddar, because the flavor is prominent. But feel free to swap in another cheese of your choice.
• Green Onions: I add these to the salad, and I actually like to top the finished salad with some, as well.

How To Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad

STEP 1: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, add all of the dressing ingredients to a large bowl. This is the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, mustard, sugar, pepper, dill, and salt.

STEP 2: Stir this all together until it is fully combined.

STEP 3: To that same bowl, add your cooked and drained pasta along with the ham, grapes, cheese, and green onions.

STEP 4: Stir it all together, making sure everything is fully coated with the dressing. Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 6 hours before serving.

Tips and Tricks

Feel free to make it your own. Don’t love dill? Use basil. Don’t want to use ham? Use chicken instead, or you can even keep it vegetarian.

Do make sure you follow the instruction to make at least 6 hours in advance – this is a salad that is much better the second day.

This salad stays good for several days in the refrigerator. The pasta will absorb the dressing, so if it does become too dry, you can stir in a bit more mayonnaise or sour cream.

Make sure to taste for seasonings. I’m always amazed at how much of a difference a little bit of salt will make. If it is tasting bland, try adding a bit of salt.

I like to crush my dill in the palm of my hand before adding it. It releases the oils, which gives you more flavor. If your dill is flavorless, it’s probably too old and time to get a new container.

I usually cut my grapes in half, but this last time they were giant grapes, so I cut them into fourths. The trick is to make all of your additions about the same size.

More Summer Salads

• This Avocado and Tomato Salad is especially good with garden tomatoes.
• Pasta salad meets potato salad in this Hawaiian Macaroni Salad.
• This Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is super easy to prepare and is a crowd pleaser.
• If you love salty flavors, you definitely need to try this Antipasto Salad.
• This Mexican Corn Salad is perfect for grilling season!
• This Grilled Corn Salad is especially good with the end of summer corn crop.
• Looking for healthy and delicious? This Quinoa Salad Recipe is one that you need to try.

LOOKING FOR MORE FREE RECIPES?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.