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Bowtie Pasta Salad pinterest

Bowtie Pasta Salad

This colorful bowtie pasta salad is a fun and easy classic, perfect for feeding a crowd at your next BBQ or potluck. With festive farfalle pasta, fresh vegetables, and zesty dressing, it creates a memorable dish that guests will request by name.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 servings
Calories 285 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Colander

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad

  • 16 oz bowtie pasta farfalle
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup black olives sliced
  • 8 oz mozzarella pearls or cubed
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes.
  • Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
  • While the pasta cools, prepare your vegetables. Cut the cucumber, bell peppers, and other vegetables into bite-sized pieces approximately the same size as the pasta.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, oregano, and Dijon mustard until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, prepared vegetables, olives, and mozzarella pearls.
  • Pour two-thirds of the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to combine. Add the fresh herbs and toss again. Reserve the remaining dressing for just before serving.
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, though 2 hours is ideal for allowing flavors to meld.
  • Just before serving, add the remaining dressing, toss again, and taste for seasoning adjustments.

Notes

For the best flavor, make this pasta salad a few hours ahead of time or even the day before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
If making ahead, reserve some of the dressing to refresh the salad just before serving, as pasta tends to absorb dressing during refrigeration.
For a healthier version, try using whole grain pasta or substituting half the pasta with zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 320mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 15mg
Keyword Pasta Salad, Bowtie Pasta, Farfalle, Potluck, BBQ, Summer Salad
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