Description
Bow tie pasta salad blends fresh Mediterranean flavors with colorful vegetables and zesty dressing. Crisp herbs and tangy feta cheese create a refreshing meal you’ll crave all summer long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) bow tie pasta, dry
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup bocconcini cheese, halved
- 1 cup spinach, packed, finely chopped
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, ensuring a tender yet firm texture. Drain thoroughly and spread on a wide platter to cool rapidly.
- Slice cherry tomatoes into halves, creating vibrant, juicy clusters. Finely dice red onion to distribute sharp, crisp flavor throughout the salad.
- Gently tear fresh spinach leaves into bite-sized pieces. Chop basil leaves to release aromatic oils and enhance the overall herbaceous profile.
- Combine cooled pasta with prepared vegetables, bocconcini cheese, creating a colorful Mediterranean-inspired medley.
- Craft a zesty dressing by whisking pesto with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice until smoothly emulsified.
- Drizzle dressing over pasta mixture, using delicate folding motions to coat ingredients evenly without crushing delicate components.
- Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal taste preferences.
- Chill for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld together, or serve immediately for optimal freshness and texture.
Notes
- Achieve al dente pasta by cooking slightly firmer for better texture and preventing mushiness when mixed with other ingredients.
- Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking, ensuring each piece remains separate.
- Customize the salad by swapping bocconcini with feta or goat cheese for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
- Make ahead and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, allowing flavors to meld together while maintaining fresh, crisp vegetable crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 252 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg