Description
This Zesty Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad is the ultimate summer side dish, bursting with fresh vegetables, tangy mozzarella, and a homemade Italian dressing. Light yet satisfying, this Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or meal prep. With just 30 minutes of prep time, this dish is easy to whip up and keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Whether served as a side or a complete meal, this no-mayo, flavor-packed salad is a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz farfalle (bow tie) pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
- 3 carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- ⅓ cup banana peppers, chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls (or cubed fresh mozzarella)
- ⅓ cup Kalamata or black olives, sliced
- ⅓ cup fresh basil, chopped
For the Italian Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the farfalle pasta according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente.
- Drain, rinse under cold water, and shake off excess water. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Shake or whisk until fully combined.
Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, celery, banana peppers, olives, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Chill & Serve:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Give the salad a gentle toss before serving, and garnish with extra basil or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Make it a Meal: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, salami, or chickpeas for extra protein.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta instead of regular farfalle.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Flavor Tip: The pasta absorbs dressing over time—refresh with a splash of olive oil and vinegar before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 149
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, Mediterranean pasta, Italian dressing pasta, potluck dish