Delicious Farfalle Pasta Salad Recipe
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This farfalle pasta salad brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table. It mixes bow tie pasta with fresh veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. You’ll also find peppers, Kalamata olives, marinated artichokes, and feta cheese in there.
The salad gets its zing from a light red wine vinaigrette. This dressing makes every bite burst with flavor.
Perfect for parties, this salad stays fresh even in the summer heat. Using mini farfalle pasta makes the dish both cute and quick to prepare. If you prefer, you could use regular farfalle or even penne and rotini.
Its dressing combines extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and garlic. A touch of dried oregano, salt, and pepper adds simple yet perfect seasoning.
This salad fits well as a side or a light lunch. It’s great beside dishes like grilled chicken shawarma or Mediterranean chicken kebabs. Try it with brown sugar pork chops, olive oil chicken, or honey BBQ pork souvlaki. It even enhances a smoky BBQ burger with egg and garlic aioli. This recipe turns the classic pasta salad into a fresh and exciting dish for any time.
Ingredients and Dressing for Bow Tie Italian Pasta Salad
This bow tie Italian pasta salad brings together great flavors and textures. It’s perfect for any celebration. Featuring Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, it’s refreshing and sure to please your guests.
Here’s what you need for the pasta salad:
- Gluten-free bow tie pasta
- Kosher salt
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Black olives
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella pearls
- Artichoke hearts
- Parsley
- Basil
Let’s talk dressing. It’s filled with Mediterranean flavors. To make it, you need these:
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Whole grain mustard
- Honey
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
The dressing is tangy and zesty, a perfect match for the pasta and veggies. Together, they create a tasty mix that will wow your taste buds.
To make the salad, start by boiling the pasta as the package directs. Then, drain it and rinse with cold water. In a big bowl, mix the pasta with salami, pepperoni, olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, parsley, and basil.
“The combination of the dressing with the bow tie pasta, vegetables, and meats creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.”
For the dressing, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, honey, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Pour it over the pasta mix, tossing to coat everything well.
Chill the salad in the fridge for about an hour before serving. This lets the flavors develop fully. Before serving, toss again and add more parsley and basil for a fresh look.
Ingredients | Dressing |
---|---|
Gluten-free bow tie pasta | Olive oil |
Kosher salt | Lemon juice |
Salami | Garlic |
Pepperoni | Whole grain mustard |
Black olives | Honey |
Cucumber | Crushed red pepper flakes |
Cherry tomatoes | Salt and pepper |
Mozzarella pearls | |
Artichoke hearts | |
Parsley | |
Basil |
Tips and Storage for the Perfect Bow Tie Pasta Salad
To make a great bow tie pasta salad, focus on details and how you store it. This makes sure it stays tasty and fresh. Follow these key steps for a standout dish:
First, cook the farfalle pasta until it’s just right – not too soft. This keeps it from getting soggy. After cooking, cool it quickly under cold water. This stops it from cooking more.
Then, mix up a tasty dressing. Use lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mixing these together gives your salad a lively flavor.
Mix the cool pasta with this dressing. Then add feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Making sure everything gets evenly coated with the dressing is crucial.
Let the salad chill in the fridge for a couple of hours or even better, overnight. This helps all the flavors come together. You can keep this salad in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’s great for planning meals ahead or for parties.
Keep the salad in a container with a tight lid or wrap the bowl well with plastic. This keeps it fresh and stops other fridge smells from getting into your salad.
Always be safe with your food. Don’t leave the salad out for more than two hours. By following these storage tips, you can enjoy your bow tie pasta salad all week.
FAQ
What is a farfalle pasta salad?
Farfalle pasta salad is a yummy dish made with bow tie pasta. It includes fresh ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. You’ll also find Kalamata olives, marinated artichokes, and feta cheese in it. A light red wine vinaigrette dressing adds the final touch.
Can I use a different type of pasta instead of farfalle?
Yes, you can choose different pasta types like penne or rotini. They work well as alternatives to farfalle in this recipe.
Can I make the pasta salad ahead of time?
Definitely, preparing the pasta salad in advance is a great idea. Letting it marinate for at least 2 hours in the fridge, or even overnight, is best. This helps all the flavors blend well.
How long can I keep the pasta salad in the refrigerator?
You can store the pasta salad in the fridge for 4-5 days. Just remember not to leave it out at room temp for more than two hours. This is important to keep the salad safe to eat.
Can I freeze the bow tie pasta salad?
Freezing the bow tie pasta salad is not a good idea. Freezing can ruin the texture and quality of the fresh ingredients.