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italian bow tie pasta salad 2026 04 17 170614 683x1024 1

Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad

A refreshing and colorful salad that's perfect for any occasion, packed with fresh vegetables and bursting with flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 oz bow tie pasta Cook until al dente
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled Can be replaced with mozzarella or omitted
Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar Can be substituted with lemon juice for a zesty twist
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
  5. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If salad is dry after refrigeration, add a splash of olive oil or vinegar. Feel free to add more veggies or proteins like grilled chicken or shrimp for variations.