Bowtie Pasta Salad
Fresh & Flavorful Bowtie Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Pesto
When summer calls, pasta salad answers. This Bowtie Pasta Salad with Mozzarella, Sweet Mini Peppers, and Basil Pesto is the perfect side dish for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or an easy lunch prep. It’s colorful, packed with fresh ingredients, and coated in a bright, herby pesto that brings everything together beautifully. Plus it is just way easy to make!
With just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients, this salad is as gorgeous as it is delicious. And because it comes together quickly, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings.
Serve with Roast Chicken Recipe or Chipotle Pesto Grilled Chicken Skewers!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad
- Simple ingredients: Just a few fresh components make a bold flavor statement.
- Fast prep: Ready in about 20 minutes!
- No mayo: It’s light, fresh, and picnic-safe. And for those who love pasta salad, but don’t love mayo, this is a winner!
- Make-ahead friendly: Flavors only improve as it chills.
Ingredients for Bowtie Pasta Salad
- 12 oz bowtie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ½ cups mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini), drained
- 1 cup sweet mini peppers, sliced thin
- ⅓ cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
How to Make It
- Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. - Prep the ingredients
While the pasta cooks, slice the tomatoes and mini peppers, and chop the herbs if you haven’t already. - Toss it all together
In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, mozzarella balls, tomatoes, and peppers. Add the pesto and toss gently to coat everything evenly. - Add the herbs
Stir in the fresh basil and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired for a little zing. - Chill & serve
Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Tips & Variations
- Add protein: Grilled chicken or chickpeas make this salad a full meal.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sliced pepperoncini for a little kick.
- Try different herbs: Swap in arugula, dill, or mint for fun variations.
- Store it: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What to Serve it With
Serve this pasta salad with grilled meats, alongside sandwiches, or as a light lunch with crusty bread. It’s summer in a bowl—bright, fresh, and incredibly satisfying.
- Grilled Pork Tenderloin
- Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Grilled Skirt Steak
- Chipotle Pesto Grilled Chicken Skewers
Bowtie Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie pasta farfalle
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 ½ cups mini mozzarella balls drained
- 1 cup sweet mini peppers sliced thin
- ⅓ cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.
Prep the ingredients
- While the pasta cooks, slice the tomatoes and mini peppers, and chop the herbs if you haven't already.
Toss it all together
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, mozzarella balls, tomatoes, and peppers. Add the pesto and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Add the herbs
- Stir in the fresh basil and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired for a little zing.
Chill & serve
- Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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