Creamy Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Salad
This Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish that’s perfect for your next summer BBQ! It brings together ultra-creamy Velveeta with a sweet pop of English peas, vibrant cherry pimentos, and the tangy crunch of sweet pickle relish. I just love how this recipe comes together with simple ingredients I already have in my pantry!
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Serves: 6 - 8 servings
- Main Ingredients: Velveeta, bowtie pasta, - ¾ cup mayonnaise, English peas, T spicy brown mustard, jar of pimentos, sweet pickle relish, salt and pepper, to taste
- Why You'll Love It: This creamy, tangy Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Salad is a beloved summer staple that comes together in no time using simple pantry ingredients - the kind of dish that disappears fast at any backyard BBQ!
A Fresh and Vibrant Summer Classic
I can’t get me enough of fresh and vibrant pasta salad in the summertime. From my Italian Pasta Salad and Ham Pasta Salad to my BLT Pasta Salad, there are all kinds of ways to make this classic cookout side downright delcious.
This Velveeta bowtie pasta salad is something I love to make during the spring and summer. It’s bright and creamy with just the right amount of tang and crunch from the veggies. The bowtie pasta really knows how to hold onto the flavor and dressing, making every bite taste like a little slice of heaven.
I sure can’t complain about how simple it is to make, either. I had just about everything I needed right at home, so it took no time at all. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill! But that just makes it perfect for making ahead.
Reader Review
“I always keep a bag or two of the mini bow tie pasta on hand. My children love when I cook this up, then turn it into either pasta salad or make it into chicken …. My kids love this pasta with Velveeta, in fact they call it macaroni and cheese!”
Recipe Ingredients
- Salt and pepper
- Velveeta cheese
- Bowtie pasta
- Mayonnaise
- English peas
- Spicy brown mustard (use regular if you have it on hand!)
- Jar of pimentos
- Sweet pickle relish
Recipe Variations & Notes
- Add crunch: Stir in diced onion, celery, or bell peppers cut into smaller pieces.
- Make it smoky: Add crumbled bacon, savory ground beef, or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
- Protein boost: Toss in chopped hard-boiled eggs, diced ham, or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Cheesy boost: Sprinkle in parmesan cheese or mix in a block of cream cheese for a rich, creamy pasta dish.
- Spice it up: Add a dash of chili powder, green chilies, or rotel tomatoes for a flavorful dish with a kick.
How to Make Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Salad
Step 1. Cook the Pasta
Boil your pasta following the instructions on the package. Once it’s done, drain it in a colander and give it a rinse with cold water to cool it down quickly.
Step 2. Mix the Dressing
Next, grab a medium mixing bowl and stir all your other ingredients together.
Step 3. Add Macaroni & Chill
Once everything is well combined, give it a taste and add a little more mayo if you think it needs it. Place it in the fridge and let it chill for at least 1 hour before serving. The longer, the better!
Step 4. Serve & Enjoy
Give it a good stir before serving and enjoy! I love to serve this with a side of sweet tea brined grilled chicken and fluffy Southern cathead biscuits, washed down with some creamy frozen lemonade. It doesn’t get much more summery than that, does it?
Velveeta Bowtie Pasta Salad FAQs
Yes, but I’d recommend sticking with Velveeta if you can! Other cheeses won’t melt and blend into the salad the same way. Velveeta gives it that creamy, smooth texture that makes this dish so irresistible. If you’re in a pinch, a mild cheddar could work, but just know it won’t be quite the same.
I let my pasta cool for about 10 minutes before tossing it into the salad. You want it to be just cool enough that it doesn’t melt everything together, but I find that a little warmth actually helps the dressing and cheese blend in nicely. If you have more time, you can always put it in the fridge to speed things up!
Finely diced fresh red bell pepper is a perfect substitute. I’ve made this swap before when my pantry was bare, and I actually loved the extra crunch it added. If you still want that soft, pickled flavor that pimentos bring, you can use chopped roasted red peppers from a jar instead.
Storage
Store your Velveeta bowtie pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I recommend eating it within this timeframe before it starts getting soggy.
What do you plan on cooking on the 4th? I’d love to hear your menu in the comments section and its a great opportunity for everyone to get more ideas, too!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Velveeta grated
- 10 ounces bowtie pasta
- ½ – ¾ cup mayonnaise if you like more dressing, add the full amount
- 1 can English peas drained
- 1 T spicy brown mustard can use regular if you have it on hand!
- 2-4 oz jar of pimentos
- ⅓ cup sweet pickle relish
- salt and pepper, to taste I start with ½ tsp of each
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander and run cold water over it to cool.10 ounces bowtie pasta
- Mix all other ingredients together in medium mixing bowl.1 cup Velveeta, ½ – ¾ cup mayonnaise, 1 can English peas, 1 T spicy brown mustard, 2-4 oz jar of pimentos, ⅓ cup sweet pickle relish, salt and pepper, to taste
- Add macaroni and mix well, adding more mayo if needed.10 ounces bowtie pasta, ½ – ¾ cup mayonnaise
- Chill for at least 1 hour and stir before serving.
Notes
- I always make this the night before. The flavors get so much better after a few hours in the fridge!
- Feel free to swap the bowtie pasta for elbow macaroni or rotini. Whatever you have in the pantry works great!
- If you’re feeding a crowd, I’d recommend doubling the recipe. This one goes fast at potlucks and BBQs!
- For a bit of crunch, diced celery or red onion makes a great mix-in without overpowering the other flavors.
Hey Christy!
We are having a neighborhood pig pickin’ with BBQ’ed potatoes, slaw, hushpuppies, Brunswick stew (my hubby is making that) and all the wonderful sides and desserts that the neighbors will bring!
With the fourth on a Sunday this year, we have extra days for celebrations, so we also have a traditional hamburger/hotdog cookout on Monday! Enjoy the holiday! I bought a patriotic bunting today to put up on our front porch–can’t wait to display the red, white and blue!
oh your bunting and your celebration sound wonderful – but what I love most is your attitude!!!!
You’ve lifted me up even higher just reading your words!
Gratefully,
Christy
The 4th of July is always special for our family – it is my brother’s birthday – so we call him our firecracker. In St. Louis, they always have great fireworks displays for 3 nights under the Gateway Arch, down on the Mississippi River…so we are kind of southern!
Our menu this year is BBQ Babybacks, Brats, German Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Watermellon (spiked with Vodka) Strawberries and Chocolate Pound Cake – lots of cold sodas, teas, and beer!
Judy, I may be coming to St Louis with that menu (minus the spiked watermelon, hehehe). I’ve never been there, hope to see it one day. I’ve heard wonderful things about your area and Meet Me In St Louis is one of my favorite movies of all time so I need to go there so I can sing it more!!!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
Honey – we would just love your southern charm and you would truly love St. Louis – maybe it will be on your book tour and your St. Louis fans could show you off at some of our favorite recipes.
Your Southern Plate and beautiful kids make me smile and have a better workday – bless you a thousand times over.
Sounds good how many servings do you think this will be?
If served as a side dish, I’d say six to eight people, easy 🙂
Thank you!
Simply spot-on incredible timing… I needed a side dish for an upcoming gathering – this will be perfect! Well, doubled, it’ll be perfect!!
Hey Debbie! How are things down in Dothan? Hope you enjoy this and it was great seeing you on here today!
Gratefully,
Christy
Don’t know yet what’s on the menu. The pasta would make a great side no matter what. Hopefully…we aren’t recovering from our first Storm here in Louisiana.
I hope the weather is kind to you on the fourth! Goodness knows our poor coastlines have taken enough of a beating as it is.
Whatever you serve, I know it will be a wonderful day for your family because they have you!
Gratefully,
Christy
I love that red bowl!! The recipe sounds good too. I love a good pasta salad. I will definitely make this and maybe add some shredded chicken to it to make it more of a meal.
Oh Lisa, that is a wonderful idea!!! I have this in my fridge right now and I think I’ll do that for my lunch. Thank you!
Gratefully,
Christy
Christy – I am not receiving emails although when I tried to subscribe again it wouldn’t let me because it said I was already in the system.
Thanks,
Analoyce
We’re havin a fish fry. Fried catfish and all the fixins to go with it. Yum, Yum!!
OH now that sounds DELICIOUS! I know you’ll have a wonderful time!!
Gratefully,
Christy