Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Little bow ties give this creamy pasta salad a pleasantly playful feel. Ham and cheddar make it savory, with sweet peas and a tangy relish dressing tucked around the pasta. It's a welcome cool bowl when you'd rather have dinner ready and waiting in the fridge.
- Original yield
- Serves 8
- Ingredients
- 13 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Pork
- Cuisine
- American
- Dish type
- Salads · Pasta salad · Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Keep the pasta al dente
Cook the bow ties according to their package and stop at al dente.
2. Mix dressing in its own bowl
Combine the dressing ingredients thoroughly before tossing them with the salad.
3. Allow the chilling stage
Refrigerate the combined pasta salad for the stated minimum before serving.
Get to know the ingredients
Thawed peas
Use the frozen peas thawed as listed before mixing the salad.
Small ham and cheese pieces
Dice both the ham and cheddar for distributing through the bow ties.
Finely diced vegetables
Prepare the onion and bell pepper finely so they mix through the pasta.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 8. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 3 steps completeMake room for Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Chill after tossing
Toss all the salad ingredients together, then refrigerate before serving.
A little more help as you go
Sweet relish in the dressing
The relish belongs in the dressing mixture with mayonnaise, mustard, sugar and vinegar.
Use a large mixing bowl
The final toss combines pasta, dressing and all the prepared salad ingredients in a large bowl.
A few questions you might have
Can I serve it immediately after mixing?
The directions call for refrigerating the combined salad before serving.
Should the peas stay frozen?
No, the peas are listed thawed for adding to the salad.
How should I prepare the cheddar?
Dice it for mixing with the pasta and the other salad ingredients.
Where does the relish go?
Mix it into the dressing before tossing the full salad together.
How far should I cook the bow ties?
Cook them al dente according to the package directions.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: spendwithpennies.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
