Description
Pasta lovers rejoice with this bow tie pasta salad, a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish packed with fresh herbs and tangy feta. Crisp vegetables and zesty dressing create a perfect balance, making it an irresistible summer meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) bow tie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
Additional Vegetables and Cheese:
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare bow tie pasta according to package directions until achieving al dente texture. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.
- Simultaneously, meticulously dice cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, and olives into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by vigorously whisking olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and oregano together. Calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance overall taste profile.
- Cascade the freshly prepared dressing over pasta and vegetable medley, thoroughly coating each element to guarantee consistent flavor integration.
- Delicately scatter crumbled feta cheese and freshly chopped parsley across the salad’s surface, gently folding to maintain ingredient integrity.
- Refrigerate the composed salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a complex, refreshing character before serving.
Notes
- Boost pasta flavor by salting water generously during boiling for enhanced taste throughout the dish.
- Choose firm vegetables like cucumber to maintain crisp texture and prevent soggy salad when chilled.
- Customize dressing intensity by adjusting vinegar and mustard ratios to suit personal preference or dietary needs.
- Prepare pasta salad ahead of time, as overnight refrigeration deepens flavor complexity and allows ingredients to marinate thoroughly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg