Bow Tie Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
This Bow Tie Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, refreshing, and mouth-watering dish packed with colorful tri-color pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny black olives, fresh basil, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfectly chilled and bursting with bold Mediterranean flavors, it’s an easy-to-make recipe that’s ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a light and satisfying side dish to your favorite meals.
Ingredients
- 12 oz 340g bow tie (farfalle) pasta, tri-color or plain
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup black olives sliced
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls or cubed mozzarella
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves torn or chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup cucumber diced (optional)
For the Italian Dressing:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil or 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
- 1/2 tsp salt adjust to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar or honey optional, to balance acidity
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, mozzarella, basil, and any optional vegetables like red onion or cucumber.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Give the salad a final toss before serving. Garnish with extra fresh basil or grated Parmesan if desired.