Bow Tie Pasta Salad
A vibrant and easy-to-make bow tie pasta salad featuring fresh vegetables, creamy bocconcini cheese, and zesty pesto dressing, perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta, dry
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup bocconcini cheese, halved
- 1 cup spinach, packed, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
For the Dressing
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 unit lemon, juiced
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Preparing the Vegetables
- As the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, red onion, spinach, and basil.
Combining Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, red onion, bocconcini cheese, spinach, and basil.
Dressing the Salad
- In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the pasta mix and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Final Touches
- Sample your salad. Adjust the seasoning or add more dressing according to your personal preference.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for an hour to enhance the flavors.
Notes
Consider varying the vegetables or cheese to suit your taste. This salad can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to three days.