Go Back
–+ servings

Bowtie Pasta Salad

overhead shot of Bowtie Pasta Salad in a bowl
Packed with plenty of colorful veggies, tender pasta, and tangy dressing, this bowtie pasta salad will be a delicious addition to your summer menu.
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 280 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dressing

  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, from a 1 oz. packet
  • 1½ teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Bowtie Pasta Salad

  • 12 ounces bowtie pasta, cooked and drained according to box instructions
  • 7 ounces smoked uncured ham steak, diced
  • 1 cup cheddar-Monterey jack cheese block, diced
  • 1 cup cucumber, seeds removed and diced
  • 1 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes that have been cut in half

Instructions
 

  • To make the dressing, whisk together in a medium bowl, the mayonnaise, whole milk, white vinegar, ranch seasoning, granulated sugar, salt, and pepper. Transfer ½ cup of the dressing to a separate bowl to reserve. Set aside the dressing to thicken up while you make the rest of the recipe.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and drained bowtie pasta and allow it to cool for 10 minutes while you dice all your other ingredients.
  • To the cooled bowtie pasta, add the remaining 1 cup of dressing and toss it to coat all the pasta with the dressing.
  • To the bowl of pasta and dressing, add the diced ham, diced cheddar-Monterey jack cheese, diced cucumber, diced red onion, and grape tomato halves.
  • Toss all the diced vegetables, diced ham, and diced cheese with the dressing-coated bowtie pasta until everything is evenly distributed.
  • Transfer to a large serving bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Make sure you don’t overcook the pasta, or it will fall apart in your salad if it is too soft.
  • Make sure you dice all your vegetables, block cheese, and ham steak in the same size (approximately ¼ to ½-inch-sized cubes). Your grape tomatoes only need to be cut in half.
  • Rinsing hot pasta in cold water helps cool it down quicker and prevents it from sticking together
  • If your ham steak has been packaged in a liquid, you will want to pat it dry before dicing it. You can also trim off the tough edges before dicing it if you’d like, although this is optional.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 652mgPotassium: 215mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 218IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 1mg