Go Back

Healthy Lunch Recipes Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Some recipes just feel like home, don’t they? For me, a big bowl of bow tie pasta salad is the kind of dish that makes me think of family picnics, lazy weekends, and those moments where everyone just gathers around the table without any planning. Pasta salad isn’t flashy—it’s reliable, and sometimes that’s exactly what we need. When I make this bow tie pasta recipe, I like to think of it as a blank canvas. The bow ties (or farfalle, if we’re feeling fancy) catch every bit of dressing, little flecks of cheese, and whatever crunchy veggies you decide to toss in. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t ask for much but always delivers. A good pasta salad recipe, especially the Italian ones, has a way of filling you up without slowing you down. It’s quick, flexible, and perfect for a busy weekday lunch or a weekend cookout. If you’ve ever tried a bow tie lasagna recipe, you’ll know pasta doesn’t need to be complicated to taste amazing. This Italian pasta salad recipe follows the same logic. Simple ingredients, tossed together with care, and you’ve got a recipe healthy pasta salad that feels comforting but still light. Italian pasta recipes often have that balance, and this one is no different. You can prep it in advance, store it in the fridge, and grab it when you need something quick but still homemade. It’s just one of those healthy lunch recipes that earns a permanent spot in your kitchen.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: bow tie lasagna recipe, bow tie pasta recipe, Healthy Lunch Recipes, Italian Pasta Recipes, italian pasta salad recipes, pasta salad recipes italian, recipe healthy pasta salad
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Lila

Ingredients

  • 12 oz bow tie pasta, uncooked
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumbers, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Place pasta in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with a spoonful of dressing to prevent sticking.
  3. Add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, mozzarella, olives, and parmesan.
  4. Pour remaining Italian dressing over the pasta and toss until evenly coated.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper, then garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.