Description
Bow tie pasta salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish that perfectly balances the savory flavors of cubed ham and cheddar cheese with the freshness of red bell peppers and peas. This easy-to-make recipe is ideal for summer gatherings, potlucks, or family dinners. With its delightful mix of textures and colors, it’s not just a side dish; it can also stand alone as a light meal. Prepare it in just 20 minutes and let it chill for an hour to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Customize this pasta salad to suit your taste by swapping in your favorite veggies or proteins.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound bow tie pasta
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese (diced)
- 1 cup fully-cooked ham (diced)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (thawed)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (finely diced)
- 1/2 small onion (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
- In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients until well combined. Refrigerate.
- Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all salad ingredients with the chilled dressing. Mix thoroughly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg