Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad that's perfect for picnics and summer gatherings. Filled with colorful vegetables, olives, and mozzarella, this salad is easy to prepare and delicious served chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz bow tie pasta Cook according to package instructions
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste salt and pepper
- to taste fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook bow tie pasta according to package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, and mozzarella.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
- Top with fresh basil before serving.
- Enjoy chilled or at room temperature!
Notes
To store leftovers, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for about 3 to 5 days. If the pasta absorbs some dressing, add a little olive oil or vinegar before serving again. Avoid overcooking the pasta; it should be al dente. Feel free to customize with other vegetables or proteins like grilled chicken. For a kick, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.