🌿 Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette

There’s just something about a really good pasta salad — the kind that’s bright, fresh, and layered with flavor — that feels like summer on a plate. This Herby Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette is exactly that. Tender farfalle, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and creamy chickpeas come together with fresh basil and mint for the ultimate picnic or BBQ dish. Tossed in a tangy-smooth apple cider vinaigrette with Dijon and shallots, it’s light yet satisfying, plant-based, and ready in just 20 minutes.

Whether you’re hosting friends, packing a beach lunch, or meal-prepping for the week, this pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser that travels well and only gets better as it sits.

🛒 Ingredients

🥗 Salad:

• 🍝 8 oz bow tie (farfalle) pasta (gluten-free if desired)

• 🍅 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 🥒 ½ English cucumber, diced

• 🥫 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

• 🧅 ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (or quick-pickled if preferred)

• 🌿 ¼ cup chopped fresh basil

• 🌱 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

• 🧂 Salt & pepper to taste

✨ Optional Add-Ins:

• 🧀 Vegan feta or mozzarella (like Follow Your Heart)

• 🫒 Kalamata olives

• 🥬 Arugula or baby spinach for extra greens

🧅 Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette:

• 🍎 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 🧅 1 tbsp finely minced shallot

• 🥄 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 🍯 ¼ tsp maple syrup (optional, for balance)

• 🫒 3 tbsp olive oil

• 🧂 Salt & cracked pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 🍝 Cook pasta
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bow tie pasta until al dente, following package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

2. 🥣 Make the vinaigrette
   In a small bowl or jar, whisk together apple cider vinegar, shallot, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

3. 🥗 Assemble the salad
   In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, red onion, basil, and mint. Pour vinaigrette over the top and toss gently until everything is well coated.

4. 🌿 Taste & serve
   Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

💡 Make-Ahead Tip:
Let the salad sit for 30 minutes before serving so the pasta can soak up the vinaigrette. Toss again before serving.

This Herby Bow Tie Pasta Salad has quickly become one of my go-to dishes for summer gatherings — it’s the kind of recipe people remember and ask for later. The combination of fresh herbs, crisp veggies, and tangy vinaigrette makes it a refreshing side or a light main. Plus, it’s completely plant-based, easy to customize, and comes together without much fuss.

If you make this salad, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Share your photos and tag @kellysgreenkitchen_ so I can see your beautiful creations. 🌿🍅