Lunch Box Series 30: Christmas Pasta Salad

When it comes to an Aussie Christmas, one thing is guaranteed - a table full of cold salads, sunshine, and a little bit of “I’ll just go back for seconds.” This Christmas pasta salad is our festive take on a summer staple, made using red and green capsicums (obviously), a creamy curry dressing and bowtie pasta - how much more festive could you get?

It’s light, flavour-packed and perfect for warm weather, and the best part? It’s just as delicious served cold straight from the fridge as it is slightly warmed. That makes it ideal for Christmas Day spreads, Boxing Day leftovers, and easy lunches long after the decorations come down.

This recipe brings together crunchy capsicum, mushrooms, chives and roasted pine nuts, all tossed through bowtie pasta with a sweet-and-savvy curry dressing. It’s a great make-ahead option that holds its flavour beautifully, meaning less time cooking and more time enjoying the festive season!

Christmas Pasta Salad 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups bowtie pasta

• 1 red capsicum, diced

• 1 green capsicum, diced

• 100g mushrooms, diced

• Small handful fresh chives, finely chopped

• ¼ cup roasted pinenuts 

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tsp curry powder 

• 1 tbsp castor sugar 

• ½ cup olive oil 

• ¼ cup white vinegar 

• 1 tbsp cream

Method: 

1. Cook bowtie pasta according to the instructions on the packet. 

2. In a large bowl, place the cooled pasta, diced capsicums, mushrooms and chives. 

3. In a small jar, place the curry powder, sugar, olive oil, vinegar and cream. Shake well to combine. 

4. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss. 

5. Serve warm or cold. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. 

Pack Lunch With Us

For this week’s lunch box, we packed our Christmas Pasta Salad into our 2 and 3 Removable Compartment Silicone Bento Boxes - and honestly, they’re made for meals like this.

These bento boxes are a great option for salads and larger portions, with removable compartments that allow you to create one generous open space when you need it. Perfect for pasta salads, leftovers, or those lunches that can’t quite squeeze into compartments. 

They’re also fridge, freezer, oven and air fryer safe, making meal prep and storage simple from start to finish. And maybe best of all? They’re microwave safe, so if you’re feeling like your salad would be better slightly warmed, you can pop it straight in - no bowls, no transferring food, no fuss. 

Practical, versatile and festive-season ready… and did we mention they’d make the perfect Christmas present? 

Whether you’re prepping ahead for busy summer days, packing up Christmas leftovers, or simply looking for an easy lunch that works warm or cold, this Christmas pasta salad is one you’ll come back to again and again! Paired with our versatile silicone bento boxes, it’s a simple way to keep lunches festive, practical and stress-free.

Whether you’re ready to treat yourself to new lunchware for 2026 or doing some last minute Christmas shopping, don’t forget to check out our Christmas Gift Guides and Silicone Lunchware range - because being crowned favourite present of 2025 is always a win 🎄✨