Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad

5 from 16 votes

Creamy Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad with Pesto Dressing is a quick and easy pasta salad side dish that is bursting with flavor and perfect as a summer side dish...and how can it not be? Just use store bought pesto as the base to this nearly homemade dressing, bowtie pasta shells and bits of fresh vegetables for a budget friendly summer salad.

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Salad Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 303kcal

Author: Trisha Haas - Salty Side Dish

Ingredients

12 oz. Bowtie Pasta
1/2 cup prepared pesto
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes quartered
1/4 cup pine nuts

Instructions

Cook farfalle pasta according to package directions. Farfalle pasta is the same thing as bowtie or butterfly pasta and works great to hold heavy pesto dressing.
Drain pasta completely of boiled water and rinse with cold water to cool before moving on. Make sure pasta has no excess water.
In a separate bowl, add store bought jarred pesto, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, water, olive oil and mix dressing well.
Pour pesto dressing over pasta and mix well to evenly coat all of the pasta sides.
Add chopped spinach and grape tomatoes and toss again to combine all ingredients.
Optionally add a little salt and cracked pepper prior to serving.
Put in fridge for a few hours to get cold.
Serve pasta salad topped with pine nuts or one of the other suggestions in the recipe.

Video

Notes

How long can Pesto Pasta be kept in the Fridge?

Pesto pasta salad can be kept in an air-tight container (to seal freshness and flavor) for 3-4 days in a cold fridge.

Can Bowtie Pesto Pasta be made in Advance?

Absolutely! Just give it a stir prior to serving to gather any settled dressing.

Nutrition