Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Light, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is the perfect side dish for any occasion! Made with tender farfalle pasta, crisp veggies, tangy black olives, and savory feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that’s quick to whip up. Whether you're serving it at a summer BBQ, packing it for lunch, or prepping it ahead for a busy weeknight, this easy pasta salad is refreshing and satisfying.
Servings 10 servings
Calories 244kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz farfalle pasta
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach or mixed greens
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- 1 cup cooked or steamed peas
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes Sliced in half. You can use any tomatoes.
- ⅓ cup feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped onions I used red onions.
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
Optional Homemade Italian Dressing (You can use ½ to ¾ cup of your favorite Italian dressing)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons red or white vinegar See notes.
- 1 teaspoon sweetener or sugar See notes.
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the farfalle in accordance with the package instructions.
- Rinse the farfalle in cold water and pat dry.
- Add the farfalle to your serving dish along with the remaining ingredients including the Italian dressing. Taste repeatedly and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Chill for a minimum of 1 hour. 2-3 hours is optimal.
Homemade Italian Dressing
- Combine the ingredients in bowl or measuring cup.
- Taste repeatedly and adjust the spices to suit your taste if necessary.
Notes
- I tested the homemade Italian dressing using both red and white vinegar. I noticed a subtle difference, but it wasn't too major. The red wine vinegar had a little more of a bite to it. You can like likely reduce it some with more lemon juice or sweetener/sugar. Overall, I felt like white vinegar works best and you are more likely to have it on hand using it for other things.
- Adjust the sugar or sweetener to taste or omit it if you wish. It helps balance out the tanginess from the vinegar.
- Feel free to substitute any of the veggies, pasta, or ingredients used in this recipe. Use your favorite foods.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g