Description
Bow tie pasta salad is a vibrant and delicious dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or casual family dinners. This easy-to-make recipe features a delightful mix of flavors and textures, thanks to the combination of tender bow tie pasta, savory cubed ham, creamy cheddar cheese, and fresh veggies like red bell peppers and peas. The creamy dressing ties everything together for a satisfying side that pairs beautifully with grilled meats or can stand alone as a light main course. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a chilling period to allow the flavors to meld, this pasta salad is both quick and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound bow tie pasta
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese (diced)
- 1 cup fully-cooked ham (diced)
- 1/2 small onion (finely diced)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (thawed)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (finely diced)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons relish (sweet or dill)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing by whisking together mayonnaise, relish, sugar, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Refrigerate while preparing the salad.
- Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with ham, cheese, onion, peas, and bell pepper. Pour in the dressing and toss until well mixed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg