Are you ready to transform an ordinary pasta salad into a mouthwatering culinary adventure? Get ready to tantalize your senses with this irresistible Zesty Bow Tie Pasta Salad that promises to be the star of your next meal! Packed with vibrant colors, bold Mediterranean flavors, and a perfect balance of textures, this recipe is about to become your new go-to summer dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz bow tie pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the black olives, and finely dice the red onion.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Fold in the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve chilled and enjoy your zesty bow tie pasta salad!
Tips
- For the best flavor, use high-quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh ingredients.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent a mushy texture in your salad.
- Always rinse pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor profile.
- For extra freshness, consider adding some chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving.
- If you prefer a more protein-packed version, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the dressing blend more smoothly.
- Make this salad ahead of time - it actually tastes better after the flavors have melded together!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
