Description
A refreshing and flavorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad featuring bow tie (farfalle) pasta tossed with zesty Italian dressing, fresh vegetables, salami, mozzarella, olives, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light meal, this pasta salad is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time to chill and blend flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16-oz) box bow tie (farfalle) pasta
Dressing
- 1-2 cups zesty Italian dressing (8–16 oz; store-bought or homemade)
Vegetables
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 4 oz broccoli (chopped into small florets, stems optional)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (diced)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional but recommended)
Proteins & Cheese
- 1 lb salami (chopped)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 (8-oz) container fresh mozzarella balls (small pearls or halved larger ones)
Other
- 1 (2.25-oz) can sliced black olives (drained)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking and remove excess starch. Shake off excess water and transfer pasta to a large bowl.
- Toss with Dressing: While pasta is still slightly warm, toss it with 1 cup of zesty Italian dressing to evenly coat each piece.
- Add Vegetables and Other Ingredients: Add halved cherry tomatoes, chopped broccoli florets, diced yellow bell pepper, chopped salami, shredded Parmesan cheese, fresh mozzarella balls, drained sliced black olives, and optional fresh herbs to the bowl. Toss everything together until thoroughly combined. Add additional dressing as needed to coat all ingredients.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Final Toss and Serve: Just before serving, give the salad another good toss. Stir in an additional ¼ to ½ cup of Italian dressing if the pasta has absorbed the dressing while chilling, ensuring the salad is moist and flavorful.
Notes
- The amount of Italian dressing can be adjusted based on personal preference for a lighter or more robust flavor.
- Using fresh herbs like basil or parsley brightens the salad and adds an aromatic touch.
- Chilling the salad for several hours or overnight deepens the flavor and improves texture.
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water stops the cooking process and helps cool the salad quickly.
- Try substituting salami with other deli meats or omit for a vegetarian option.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
