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Bowtie Pasta Salad with Grapes

Discover a tasty twist on pasta salad with this Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Grapes recipe. Bursting with the bright flavors of grape tomatoes, green grapes, and tangy dressing, it’s a refreshing dish that’s perfect for a summer cookout or picnic!

Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Grapes - a surprising combination for a refreshing summery pasta salad. Great for a cookout or picnic! https://www.lanascooking.com/bow-tie-pasta-salad-with-tomatoes-and-grapes/

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When it comes to summer recipes, light and refreshing dishes are always a hit. If you’re looking for a unique and flavorful salad to enjoy during the warmer months, then this delicious Bowtie Pasta Salad with Grapes and Tomatoes is just what you need.

Packed with vibrant colors and fresh produce, this salad is a delightful combination of sweet and tangy. The contrast of the sweet grapes with the vinaigrette and the salty, tangy feta cheese makes for a unique pasta salad. Make this one and take it to your next potluck or cookout and you’ll be sure to get tons of compliments.

❤️ Why We Love This Recipe


  1. It serves up a huge burst of flavors – The combination of juicy grape tomatoes, green grapes, and aromatic basil brings a burst of flavor to every bite.
  2. It’s quick and easy – With simple ingredients and instructions, this recipe is a breeze to make, saving you time and effort in the kitchen.
  3. It’s versatile – This pasta salad can be served as a side dish, a light lunch, or even as a main course by adding grilled chicken or shrimp.
  4. Eye-catching presentation – The vibrant colors of the ingredients make this salad a visual delight, perfect for gatherings and potlucks.

🛒 Ingredient Notes


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  • Bow tie pasta Fun pasta shapes make ordinary recipes more interesting, but feel free to use any short-cut pasta you have on hand. Macaroni, fusilli, and penne all work well for this recipe.
  • Grape tomatoesYou can, of course, use cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes in a variety of colors make a pretty presentation.
  • Green grapesBe sure to use ripe, sweet grapes!
  • Fresh basilUse fresh if possible and cut it finely.
  • Red wine vinegarEssential for the vinaigrette dressing.
  • Shallot I prefer shallots but you can certainly substitute green onion or finely diced red onion.
  • Capers Capers add a piquancy that can’t easily be substituted. If you don’t care for them, simply omit them.
  • Dijon mustard My favorite is always Maille. It has a much milder, more mellow flavor than some other brands.
  • Feta cheese I prefer to purchase a block of feta and crumble it myself.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🍲 Equipment You’ll Find Useful


My Favorite Colander


ExcelSteel 5 Qt Colander
  • Easy grip handles
  • Constructed in durable stainless steel
  • Dishwasher safe, clean with ease
  • Mirror polished finish for high shine
  • Lightweight stainless steel for easy handling
This post contains affiliate links. Lana's Cooking is reader-supported and earns a tiny commission at no extra cost to you when you shop from our links.

🥄 How to Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Grapes


  1. It couldn’t be much simpler than this. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  2. Drain it well and add it in a big bowl with the grape tomatoes, green grapes, and basil.
  3. Make the vinaigrette in a small bowl, pour it over the pasta mixture and toss everything together. Add a little feta, gently toss it all together and that’s it!
  4. Allow the flavors to meld together for at least 15 minutes before serving. You can also refrigerate the salad for a couple of hours to let the flavors intensify. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Finished pasta salad in a serving bowl.

🔀 Variations


  1. For added protein, include grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or chickpeas.
  2. Give it a nutty crunch by including a few toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts.
  3. Experiment with different herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or mint to give the salad a unique twist.
  4. Add other fresh vegetables such as sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, or red onions to customize the salad to your liking.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions


  • Serve as a side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood.
  • Pack it for a picnic or a summer potluck gathering.
  • Pair with a warm baguette or garlic bread for a satisfying meal on its own.

🍚 Storage Information


Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Lana Stuart.

More Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

📖 Recipe

Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Tomatoes and Grapes - a surprising combination for a refreshing summery pasta salad. Great for a cookout or picnic! https://www.lanascooking.com/bow-tie-pasta-salad-with-tomatoes-and-grapes/

Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Grapes

Discover a tasty twist on pasta salad with my Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Grapes. Bursting with bright flavors, it's perfect for summer cookouts!
4.75 from 4 votes
Print It Rate It Save
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 281kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces bow tie pasta
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup green grapes halved
  • cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 medium shallot minced
  • 2 teaspoons capers drained
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  • Cook bow tie pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, grapes, basil, and well-drained pasta.
  • To a small bowl, add the vinegar, shallot, capers, mustard, salt, and pepper. Gradually add the oil while whisking constantly. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and stir to coat well. Add the cheese and toss gently to combine.
  • Let it sit for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to marry before serving.

Notes

  • Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 281kcal | Carbohydrates 44g | Protein 11g | Fat 7g | Saturated Fat 4g | Cholesterol 25mg | Sodium 645mg | Potassium 382mg | Fiber 3g | Sugar 11g | Vitamin A 871IU | Vitamin C 12mg | Calcium 163mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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— This post was originally published on June 8, 2012. It has been updated with additional information.

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12 Comments

  1. Lana, I believe you! I enjoy mixing flavors and seeing what plays off each other. My boyfriend is not as much a believer, but I am working on him!

  2. This looks so good. I will have to bribe my boyfriend to try this. (He’s not a fan of trying anything he doesn’t think should be paired together, but I just got him to agree to chicken salad with grapes. Perhaps he’s progressing!)

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      It does seem like an unusual combination with the grapes, but it is really delicious! They add just the perfect little bite of sweetness to the salad.

  3. love cooking says:

    This is great. It’s a very special pasta salad. I think it would be really nice if serve chill. :)

  4. Nancy@acommunaltable says:

    Love this combination!! I love discovering new flavor combinations like this Lana – at first it doesn’t seem like they would go together, but when you think about it, it totally makes sense!

  5. well, we love the tartness of sweet tomatoes with green ones so this does make sense… and the problem with all those wonderful emails from such sites is finding time to read them.. so glad you did this one…

  6. Barbara | Creative Culinary says:

    I’ve put grapes into a curry chicken salad but stopped there and haven’t tried it in a salad with tomatoes and lettuce. Why not? This looks perfectly light and tasty; will have to try!

    1. I was skeptical but intrigued about the tomatoes and grapes together, Barb, but found it to be a really delightful combination. I’ll definitely use it again.

  7. cajunville says:

    This is a fantastic summer salad. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks.

    1. Thanks! Hope you enjoy it.

  8. Denise @ Creative Kitchen says:

    I love pasta salad Lana! This one looks incredible. I’ll have to try the mix of grapes with the feta cheese. Mmm…..

    1. The grapes are a really great counterpoint to the feta, Denise. I think you’d love this one!