Festive Bow Tie Pasta Platter

Featured in: Cozy Everyday Meals

This colorful dish features bow tie pasta combined with roasted bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. A bright lemon-garlic dressing brings zing and depth, while crumbled feta, fresh basil, parsley, and toasted pine nuts add layers of flavor and texture. Perfect for celebrations, it offers a fresh, easy-to-prepare option that's satisfying and vibrant.

Updated on Sat, 29 Nov 2025 11:58:00 GMT
A colorful Festive Bow Tie Pasta Platter, showing roasted vegetables and herbs tossed with pasta. Save
A colorful Festive Bow Tie Pasta Platter, showing roasted vegetables and herbs tossed with pasta. | ivorycrumb.com

A vibrant and colorful pasta dish featuring bow tie pasta tossed with roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing—perfect for celebrations or special gatherings.

This is a festive dish I enjoy making for family gatherings and special occasions. Its freshness and vibrant flavors never fail to impress.

Ingredients

  • Pasta: 500 g (1 lb) bow tie (farfalle) pasta
  • Roasted Vegetables: 1 medium red bell pepper, diced, 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced, 1 medium zucchini, chopped, 1 small red onion, sliced, 200 g (7 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried Italian herbs, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Dressing: 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 tsp honey or maple syrup, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • To Finish: 60 g (2 oz) crumbled feta cheese, 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 30 g (1 oz) toasted pine nuts (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2:
Toss the bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 25 minutes, stirring halfway, until vegetables are tender and lightly caramelized.
Step 3:
Meanwhile, cook the bow tie pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
Step 4:
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Step 5:
Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta. Pour over the dressing and toss gently to combine.
Step 6:
Sprinkle with feta cheese, fresh basil, parsley, and toasted pine nuts if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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This dish creates joyful moments at the dinner table, bringing everyone together with its bright flavors.

Notes

Pair with a light white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for a delightful meal.

Required Tools

Large pot, Baking sheet, Mixing bowls, Whisk, Serving bowl

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) in pasta, milk in feta cheese, and pine nuts (tree nuts, optional). Check ingredient labels for possible traces of allergens.

Plump cherry tomatoes highlight this Festive Bow Tie Pasta Platter, a delightful vegetarian main course. Save
Plump cherry tomatoes highlight this Festive Bow Tie Pasta Platter, a delightful vegetarian main course. | ivorycrumb.com

This festive bow tie pasta is a perfect blend of textures and flavors that’s sure to impress your guests.

Recipe FAQs

How do I roast the vegetables evenly?

Cut vegetables uniformly and spread them in a single layer on the baking sheet. Stir halfway through cooking to promote even caramelization.

Can I use a different pasta shape for this dish?

Yes, pasta shapes like penne or fusilli work well as they hold the dressing and roasted veggies nicely.

What are some suitable herb substitutes?

Fresh oregano, thyme, or rosemary can complement the flavors if basil or parsley are unavailable.

How should I adjust this for a vegan version?

Replace feta with a plant-based cheese alternative or omit it entirely. Adjust seasoning as needed to maintain balance.

Can this dish be served cold or at room temperature?

Yes, it is delicious both warm and at room temperature, making it versatile for different serving preferences.

Festive Bow Tie Pasta Platter

Bow tie pasta with roasted veggies, fresh herbs, and zesty dressing ideal for festive gatherings.

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
25 min
Total duration
45 min
Created by Nora Ellington


Skill level Easy

Cuisine type Italian

Makes 6 Serves

Diet details Meat-free

What You'll Need

Pasta

01 1 pound bow tie (farfalle) pasta

Roasted Vegetables

01 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
02 1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
03 1 medium zucchini, chopped
04 1 small red onion, sliced
05 7 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
06 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
08 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dressing

01 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
03 1 teaspoon lemon zest
04 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
06 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
07 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To Finish

01 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
02 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
03 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
04 1 ounce toasted pine nuts (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 400°F to prepare for roasting vegetables.

Step 02

Prepare and Roast Vegetables: Combine diced bell peppers, chopped zucchini, sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes with olive oil, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.

Step 03

Cook Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a spacious serving bowl.

Step 04

Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.

Step 05

Combine Pasta and Vegetables: Add the roasted vegetables to the cooked pasta. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

Step 06

Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh basil, parsley, and toasted pine nuts over the dish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tools needed

  • Large pot
  • Baking sheet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Serving bowl

Allergen details

Be sure to review the ingredients for possible allergens and speak to a healthcare provider when uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) in pasta, milk in feta cheese, and tree nuts in pine nuts (optional).
  • Check labels for potential allergen traces.

Nutrition info per dish

Details here are just for reference. They don't replace health or nutrition advice.
  • Calories: 390
  • Fats: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Proteins: 10 g