Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Kim
7 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect side dish that’s easy to throw together and bursting with fresh ingredients, this Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe is your new go-to. This vibrant dish is a twist on the classic macaroni salad and coleslaw recipe, combining crunchy fresh vegetables, creamy dressing, and tender pasta for a delicious side dish.

The great thing about this salad is how customizable it is. Start with perfectly cooked bow tie pasta, add in the coleslaw, a rainbow of bell peppers for color, green onion, then toss everything in a tangy dressing that combines Miracle Whip salad dressing, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Whether you're meal-prepping for the week, bringing something to a potluck, or simply need a refreshing side salad to serve with dinner, this delicious recipe is packed with big flavors and comes together in no time.

Some recipes come with more than just fresh ingredients—they come with memories, stories, and love. My husband’s aunt was a generous and talented home cook who shared so many wonderful recipes with me over the years (her Cheesecake Pie is still one of my all-time favorites!). At family gatherings, her Bow Tie Pasta Salad made an appearance—always sweet, colorful, and crowd-pleasing. After her passing, her daughter graciously gave me most of her recipes, and I found this particular recipe more than once, all written in her handwriting. That small detail made it even more special—clearly, this was a dish she returned to often. This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a sweet pasta salad, made with a homemade dressing that includes sugar for that perfect sweet balance. If you love sweet pasta salads, this is a must-try.

What You Need

Bow Tie Pasta
Coleslaw Mix
Red Bell Pepper
Green Onion, optional
Miracle Whip
Sugar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt
Black Pepper

Tips for Making the Best Bow Tie Pasta Salad

To avoid curdling your dressing or shocking the pasta, bring cold ingredients like, Miracle Whip, to room temperature before mixing.
Chop veggies into small pieces to ensure even distribution and makes every bite colorful and flavorful.
Make the dressing in a separate bowl then incorporate into the rest of the ingredients.
Include some of your favor add-ins like green pepper, sweet onion, broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, feta cheese or red pepper flakes to give it a little spice!

More Delicious Side Dishes

Cheesy Corn & Noodle Casserole Creamy Cucumber & Onion Salad Broccoli Rice Casserole

How to Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Step 1: In a large pot, add cold water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook 12 oz bow tie pasta to al dente, according to package directions . While the pasta is cooking, clean and chop the 3/4 cup red bell pepper and 1/4 cup green onions (optional) into small, bite size pieces.

Step 2: Once the pasta is done, rinse with cold water until the pasta is cool to the touch. Drain completely and move to a large bowl. Add the bag of coleslaw and the chopped veggies and set aside.

Step 3: In a small bowl whisk together 2 cups Miracle Whip salad dressing, 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and mix. Add 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper and mix well.

Dressing ready to add to to pasta, coleslaw and veggies.

Step 4: Pour the salad dressing over the pasta, coleslaw and veggies and mix well. Place a lid on the bowl or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld. This side dish gets better with time! Make sure and give it a good stir at serving time!

How to Store Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Put the chilled salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta salad will keep well for up to 4 days which also makes it a great prep-ahead easy side dish for the week. Just give it a good stir before serving!

This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is everything you want in a crowd pleaser—bright, creamy, crunchy, and customizable. Serve it alongside grilled meats, pair it with a fruit salad, or bring it to a potluck where it’s sure to disappear fast. It may become one of those family favorite recipes you’ll find yourself making over and over—especially since it uses pantry and fridge staples you can pick up at any grocery store. Give this great recipe a try because it is Forkin' Good!