Description
Italian bow tie pasta salad brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Summer cookouts and picnic gatherings welcome this refreshing medley that ensures you savor each colorful, tangy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) bow tie pasta, dry
- 1 cup (150 grams) bocconcini cheese, halved
Fresh Produce:
- 2 cups (300 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) red onion, diced
- 1 cup (30 grams) spinach, packed, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup (20 grams) basil, finely chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water with salt to sea-like intensity. Add bow tie pasta and cook until just past al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes at a rolling boil. Drain thoroughly and prevent sticking by lightly coating with olive oil. Cool pasta quickly by rinsing under cold water if needed.
- Create the dressing by vigorously whisking pesto, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Aim for a smooth, well-integrated consistency. If the mixture appears too thick, thin with water until desired texture is achieved.
- Prepare vegetable components by halving cherry tomatoes, dicing red onion finely, and slicing bocconcini. Chop spinach and basil into delicate ribbons. Rinse onion under cold water to reduce sharp flavor if desired.
- Combine cooled pasta with prepared vegetables and cheese in a spacious mixing bowl. Gently fold ingredients to ensure even distribution, maintaining the integrity of each component.
- Drizzle prepared pesto dressing over the mixture. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss carefully to coat every element, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Transfer to a serving dish or refrigerate in an airtight container. The salad maintains optimal flavor and texture for up to five days when properly stored. Serve chilled for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Enhance pasta texture by cooking it slightly beyond al dente to absorb dressing better without becoming mushy.
- Rinse red onions under cold water to reduce sharp flavor and make them more palatable for sensitive taste buds.
- Customize the salad by swapping ingredients like using gluten-free pasta for dietary restrictions or adding grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Maximize flavor by letting the salad sit for 30 minutes before serving, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop deeper taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg