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!
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.
Recipe Snapshot
Cuisine: American
Cooking Method: Stovetop
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Servings: 4
Primary Ingredient(s): Bowtie Pasta, Grape Tomatoes, Green Grapes, Capers, Feta
Skill Level: Easy
Why I Recommend This Recipe
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Eye-catching presentation – The vibrant colors of the ingredients make this salad a visual delight, perfect for gatherings and potlucks.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING …
“This is great. It’s a very special pasta salad.”
— Love Cooking
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 tomatoes – You can, of course, use cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes in a variety of colors make a pretty presentation.
- Green grapes – Be sure to use ripe, sweet grapes!
- Fresh basil – Use fresh if possible and cut it finely.
- Red wine vinegar – Essential 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.
The complete ingredient list with detailed measurements is included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Equipment You’ll Find Useful
- 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
How I Make Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Grapes
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Drain it well and add it in a big bowl with the grape tomatoes, green grapes, and basil.
- 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!
- 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.
Variations
- For added protein, include grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or chickpeas.
- Give it a nutty crunch by including a few toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts.
- Experiment with different herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or mint to give the salad a unique twist.
- 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.
Have a question or thought to share?
If you have a question about the recipe or if you’ve made it and want to share how it turned out, I would truly enjoy hearing from you. Just scroll down to leave a comment or add your star rating.
Thank you for stopping by. It means a lot to have you here.
Recipe
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Grapes
Ingredients
- 6 ounces bow tie pasta
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 cup green grapes halved
- ⅓ 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
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.
— This post was originally published on June 8, 2012. It has been updated with additional information.
I’m Lana Stuart, an award-winning cookbook author, food blogger, and lifelong cook raised deep in Southwest Georgia. I started Lana’s Cooking in 2009 to share the tried-and-true recipes I grew up with. Around here, the food is full of flavor, the traditions run deep, and there’s always room at the table.
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!
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!)
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.
This is great. It’s a very special pasta salad. I think it would be really nice if serve chill. :)
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!
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…
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!
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.
This is a fantastic summer salad. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks.
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it.
I love pasta salad Lana! This one looks incredible. I’ll have to try the mix of grapes with the feta cheese. Mmm…..
The grapes are a really great counterpoint to the feta, Denise. I think you’d love this one!