CREAMY BOW TIE PASTA SALAD
Creamy • Colorful • Crowd-Pleasing
Prep Time
20 minutes
Chill Time
1–2 hours (recommended)
Servings
8–10 servings
INGREDIENTS
Pasta & Salad Base
1 lb (450 g) bow tie pasta (farfalle)
1½ cups frozen peas, thawed
2 cups cooked ham, diced (smoked or honey ham works great)
1½ cups cheddar cheese, cubed
(sharp cheddar gives the best flavor)
½ cup red onion, finely diced
½ cup celery, diced (optional but adds crunch)
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Creamy Dressing
1½ cups mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1–2 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin dressing if needed)
INSTRUCTIONS
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool completely.
Shake well to remove excess water.
2️⃣ Prepare the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
Cooled pasta
Thawed peas
Diced ham
Cubed cheddar cheese
Red onion
Celery (if using)
Parsley
Gently toss to combine.
3️⃣ Make the Dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
Mayonnaise
Sour cream
Vinegar
Dijon mustard
Sugar
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt and pepper
Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until dressing is smooth and pourable.
4️⃣ Combine & Chill
Pour dressing over the pasta mixture.
Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (2 hours is even better).
5️⃣ Final Touch
Before serving:
Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, or sugar).
Add a splash of milk or mayo if it thickened too much.
Garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of black pepper.
VARIATIONS & ADD-INS
Cheese Options
Colby Jack
Mozzarella pearls
Swiss cheese
Protein Swaps
Crispy bacon bits
Rotisserie chicken
Turkey or salami
Extra Veggies
Diced bell peppers
Cherry tomatoes (halved)
Cucumbers
Broccoli florets
STORAGE
Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days
Stir before serving and refresh with a little mayo or milk
WHY THIS RECIPE IS A HIT
Creamy without being heavy
Sweet & savory balance
Kid-friendly
Perfect make-ahead dish
