Name: Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 ounces (4 cups) 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; 3 tablespoons pesto; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/2 lemon, juiced; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

Description

This Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish filled with fresh veggies, bocconcini cheese, and a zesty pesto dressing. Perfect for a light lunch, BBQ side, or potluck, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s both fresh and healthy!

Ingredients

12 ounces (4 cups) 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
3 tablespoons pesto
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook the bow tie pasta in heavily salted water according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta, toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking, and allow it to cool to room temperature. For a quicker cool down, you can run the pasta under cold water briefly before adding the olive oil.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or jar, combine the pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.
Once the pasta has cooled, place it in a large bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes, red onion, bocconcini cheese, spinach, and basil. Stir gently to combine.
Pour the pesto dressing over the pasta mixture, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little more olive oil or lemon juice to loosen it.
Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

For an extra crunch, try adding some toasted pine nuts or walnuts.
You can make this dish ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together.
If you prefer a dairy-free option, substitute the bocconcini cheese with dairy-free cheese or omit it entirely.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Boiling and Mixing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal