Description
A vibrant and refreshing Bow Tie Pasta Salad with crunchy veggies, tangy Italian dressing, and tender pasta. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 2 cups bow tie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for extra shine)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the bow tie pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, shredded carrots, and red onion.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Add the olive oil if desired for extra shine and richness.
- Toss everything together until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the salad and give it one final toss.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Grilled Chicken: For a more filling meal, add grilled chicken or another protein.
- Cheese: Add crumbled feta, mozzarella balls, or grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
- Roasted Veggies: Swap the raw vegetables for roasted ones like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Vegan Version: Make the salad vegan by using a dairy-free dressing and omitting the cheese.
- Storage: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For best results, add dressing just before serving.
- Reheating: Best served cold, but if desired, let it sit out for a few minutes to bring it to room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
