Looking for a delicious, easy-to-make dish? Try this vibrant bow tie pasta salad also called farfalle pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or meal prep. Packed with fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, spinach, and red onion, plus creamy bocconcini cheese, it’s both colorful and flavorful. Tossed in a zesty pesto dressing with olive oil and lemon, this healthy, vegetarian-friendly salad is sure to impress. Quick to prepare and ideal for feeding a crowd, this pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser for barbecues, potlucks, or as a light main course. Enjoy fresh, wholesome flavors in every bite!
Table of Contents
Fresh, Simple Ingredients
For a standout bow tie pasta salad, gather these quality ingredients:
- Bow tie pasta (farfalle): 12 ounces (about 4 cups)
- Cherry tomatoes: 2 cups, halved
- Red onion: 1/4 cup, finely chopped
- Bocconcini cheese: 1 cup, halved or quartered
- Fresh spinach: 1 cup, chopped or torn
- Fresh basil: 1/2 cup, chopped
- Pesto sauce: 3 tablespoons
- Extra virgin olive oil: 2 tablespoons
- Lemon juice: from 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
Step-by-Step Preparation
Follow these simple steps for a perfect pasta salad every time:
- Cook the pasta: Boil the bow tie pasta in salted water until al dente (about 11–13 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta quickly. Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prep the veggies and cheese: While the pasta cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, and cut the bocconcini into bite-sized pieces. Chop the spinach and basil.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Combine everything: In a large mixing bowl, add the pasta, tomatoes, onion, bocconcini, spinach, and basil. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve or store: Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutritional Benefits and Customization Tips
This salad is a great source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, healthy fats, and protein. The fresh vegetables provide vitamins and antioxidants, while the pesto and olive oil add heart-healthy fats.
Ways to customise your bow tie pasta salad:
- Add protein: Grilled chicken, salmon, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, or shrimp can turn this salad into a main dish.
- Vegetarian or vegan options: Skip the cheese and use vegan pesto for a dairy-free version.
- More veggies: Add bell peppers, cucumber, olives, or avocado for extra color and flavor.
- Meal prep friendly: This salad keeps well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad?
The five most common mistakes to avoid when making pasta salad are:
Using the wrong pasta shape or size: Choose pasta with nooks and crannies (like bow tie, rotini, or penne) to hold the dressing.
Overcooking or undercooking the pasta: Cook pasta just past al dente for cold salads, so it doesn’t become mushy or too firm.
Not seasoning the pasta enough: Salt the pasta water well and taste before serving to ensure balanced flavors.
Adding delicate ingredients too early: Wait to add fresh herbs, cheeses, or soft vegetables until just before serving to keep them fresh.
Not dressing the pasta while it’s still warm: Toss warm pasta with most of the dressing so it absorbs the flavors better.
What is Bowtie pasta best used for?
Bowtie pasta (farfalle) is best used in cold pasta salads, creamy or pesto-based pasta dishes, and recipes where its unique shape can hold sauces, dressings, or mix-ins.
What is the point of Bowtie pasta?
The point of bowtie pasta is its decorative shape, which makes it visually appealing for salads and special dishes. Its ruffled edges and center pinch help it hold onto sauces and dressings, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
What’s a good dressing for pasta salad?
A good dressing for pasta salad is usually oil-based, such as Italian vinaigrette, pesto, or a simple mix of olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, and herbs. Creamy dressings like ranch or Caesar can also be used, but oil-based dressings are more traditional and lighter.
Do I rinse pasta for pasta salad?
Yes, you should rinse pasta for pasta salad after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it quickly. This also prevents the pasta from sticking together.
How to make Greek pasta salad dressing?
To make Greek pasta salad dressing, whisk together:
Olive oil
Red wine vinegar or lemon juice
Dijon mustard (optional)
Garlic, minced
Dried oregano
Salt and pepper
Approximate Nutritional Values
- Serving size (8 servings):
- Calories: 240
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
Conclusion
Bow tie pasta salad is a versatile, healthy, and delicious dish that’s easy to prepare and always a hit at any gathering. With its colorful medley of fresh ingredients like juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp spinach, aromatic basil, and creamy bocconcini this salad is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. The zesty pesto dressing, made with extra virgin olive oil and bright lemon juice, ties everything together, adding a burst of flavor that’s both light and satisfying. One of the best things about bow tie pasta salad is how adaptable it is; you can easily swap in your favorite vegetables, add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein, or make it vegan by omitting the cheese and using a plant-based pesto. It’s a fantastic choice for picnics, potlucks, or meal prep, since it keeps well in the refrigerator for several days. The salad’s combination of complex carbohydrates, fiber, healthy fats, and protein makes it a nutritious option for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re serving it as a side or a main course, bow tie pasta salad is sure to impress guests and family alike. Its simplicity, freshness, and endless customization possibilities mean you’ll never get tired of making it try it once, and it will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle)
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup Red Onion finely chopped
- 1 cup Spinach fresh, chopped
- 1/2 cup Fresh Basil chopped
Cheese and Dressing
- 1 cup Bocconcini Cheese halved or quartered
- 3 tbsp Pesto
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, chop the spinach, and chop the basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice to make the dressing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion, spinach, basil, and bocconcini cheese. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
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