Creamy Bowtie Pasta Salad
This creamy bowtie pasta salad without mayo uses two kinds of dressing and is full of flavor. A perfect addition to any potluck or cookout.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound bowtie or mini bowtie (farfalle pasta)
- 1 medium orange or yellow pepper chopped
- 1 medium red pepper chopped
- 2 cups sliced and quartered English cucumber
- ½ cup sliced green onion
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish and more cherry tomatoes to top it off
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook the bowtie pasta in your pressure cooker following the package instructions till it’s al dente. Don’t overcook cause you want that firm tender pull, not mush.
- Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water. This cools it down quick and stops the cooking, helps keep everything crisp and fresh.
- Grab a large bowl and toss in the chopped orange or yellow pepper, red pepper, sliced cucumber, green onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Add the Italian dressing and Caesar dressing then give it a good mix.
- Add the cooled pasta to your veggie mix and stir so everything gets coated evenly. That dressing’s gotta spread everywhere.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a taste and sprinkle in some salt and pepper if you feel it needs a little boost.
- Chill your salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so flavors meld together good. Just before serving, toss on extra cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and some shredded Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy. Serve chilled and enjoy that fresh from the pot vibe.
Notes
Right when you crack open that lid, it hits ya—the fresh mix of peppers and cucumber brings a crisp, juicy crunch that wakes up your taste buds. Cherry tomatoes burst with a slight tang, adding a bright sweet note that cuts through the creaminess.
The dressings soak into the pasta perfectly, creamy but not heavy, kinda like a light hug for your mouth. Parmesan cheese kicks in with a nutty saltiness that rounds out every bite, making it feel real satisfying and fresh all at once.