Our Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad features vibrant mandarin oranges, tart cranberries, and a flavorful teriyaki dressing. This refreshing and unique recipe is a delicious twist on a classic pasta salad!
Whether you’re a pasta lover or an Asian cuisine enthusiast, this Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad is sure to become a new favorite in your family’s recipe collection.
With its colorful variety of fresh vegetables, flavorful toppings, and a delectable dressing, this salad is the perfect side for your next backyard BBQ or family dinner!
This recipe works because it’s:
- Easy to make. There are only a few minutes of cooking required, and the rest of the dish involves measuring and stirring.
- Bursting with flavor. The mix of sweet, savory, and tangy ingredients makes this dish a delight for the palate.
- Customizable. You can easily add or remove ingredients to your liking. Feel free to add extra garnishes and toppings as you wish (see several ingredient suggestions below).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook 8 ounces bowtie pasta according to the package directions.
Once the pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
While the pasta is cooking, add ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce, ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to a mason jar or dressing bottle. Cover and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Add the 4 cups baby spring mix, ⅓ cup shredded carrots, ½ cup dried cranberries, ⅓ cup pine nuts, and 10.5 ounces canned mandarin oranges to a large bowl and toss together.
Once the noodles have cooled, add them in a few at a time and toss them so they’re evenly distributed.
Top the salad with ⅓ cup chow mein noodles and serve with the teriyaki dressing.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
To ensure that your bowtie pasta retains its shape and has a nice texture in the salad, cook it al dente according to the package instructions. Be sure to rinse it under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad is best enjoyed chilled. Allow the flavors to meld together by refrigerating the salad for at least an hour before serving. But don’t add the dressing until you’re ready to eat or the spinach will get soggy. We like to keep the dressing in a squirt bottle so everyone can add the amount they like before eating.
For an added touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the salad. You can also garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, or green onions to bring a burst of freshness to the dish.
If you want to turn the salad into a main dish, you can add your favorite proteins. Consider adding tofu, grilled chicken, or shrimp.
You can also add additional vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and edamame.
If you’re out of certain ingredients consider these alternatives:
More Like This
Looking for more yummy Asian recipes? You’ll love these!
- California Sushi Bowls
- Crock Pot Asian Chicken Thighs
- Spam Fried Rice
- Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Brown Sugar Baked Salmon
- Coconut Cilantro Chicken Soup
FAQs
Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad combines bowtie pasta, colorful vegetables, and a delicious Asian-inspired dressing.
It’s a chilled pasta salad with a spinach base that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course, perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a refreshing lunch option.
The ingredients commonly found in Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad include bowtie pasta, shredded or julienned vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and edamame, and sweet ingredients like Mandarin oranges and craisins.
The dressing often consists of soy or teriyaki sauce, vinegar, and garlic.
Absolutely! Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad can be customized to suit various dietary preferences. You can make it vegetarian or vegan by omitting any animal-based ingredients and using plant-based alternatives.
If you have gluten intolerance, you can substitute the regular pasta with gluten-free pasta. Feel free to adjust the flavors and seasonings according to your taste preferences as well.
Yes, Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad is a great make-ahead dish. In fact, it often tastes even better after the flavors have melded together in the fridge.
Prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately, then combine them just before serving or a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to develop.
Love this Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below. If you really like the recipe consider leaving a comment at the end of the post. Thanks for visiting!
And if you’d like to get a 4-week meal plan featuring my recipes, just enter your email in the form above and you’ll get it straight to your inbox!
Asian Bowtie Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta, uncooked
- 4 cups baby spring mix
- ⅓ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- 10.5 ounces canned mandarin oranges, drained
- ⅓ cup chow mein noodles
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Once done, drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- While the pasta is cooking, add all of the dressing ingredients to a mason jar or dressing bottle. Cover and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Add the baby spring mix, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, pine nuts, and mandarin oranges to a large bowl and toss together. Add in the cooled noodles a few at a time and toss so they are evenly distributed.
- Top the salad with the chow mein noodles and serve with the teriyaki dressing.