Colorful bow tie pasta salad with fresh vegetables and dressing

Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad

BySavannah Brooks
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Why Make This Recipe

Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that combines vibrant ingredients with delicious flavors. It is not only easy to prepare but also makes for a perfect side dish for picnics, potlucks, or family gatherings. The bright colors and fresh ingredients make this salad visually appealing, and it’s a great way to add more vegetables to your diet. Plus, it can be made ahead of time, allowing for stress-free meal prep!

How to Make Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz bow tie pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Directions:

  1. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let it cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, 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 and toss to combine.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

How to Serve Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad

This pasta salad can be served chilled or at room temperature. It works well as a side dish alongside grilled meats or as a light lunch on its own. For a fun presentation, consider serving it in individual cups or bowls at gatherings. The bright colors and fresh herbs will attract everyone’s attention!

How to Store Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad

If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta salad is best consumed within 3-4 days, as the ingredients might become too soft over time. If you need to store it longer, consider leaving out the dressing and olives until you are ready to serve.

Tips to Make Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad

  • Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like cucumbers or carrots according to your taste.
  • For added protein, consider mixing in cooked grilled chicken or chickpeas.
  • Adjust the seasoning and dressing ingredients according to your preference.

Variation

You can easily customize this recipe by changing the type of cheese, dressing, or vegetables. Try using mozzarella instead of feta, or swap the olive oil and vinegar for a store-bought Italian dressing. You can also add nuts for crunch or change the pasta shape for variety.

FAQs

1. Can I use whole wheat bow tie pasta?
Yes, whole wheat bow tie pasta works great and adds more fiber to the salad.

2. Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This salad keeps well in the refrigerator and can be made a day ahead.

3. What can I serve with Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad?
It pairs well with grilled chicken, burgers, or seafood, making it a versatile side for various meals.

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Colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad, perfect for picnics and gatherings, loaded with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz bow tie pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let it cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, 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 and toss to combine.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  6. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent sticking. Customize with other vegetables or proteins as desired.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

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Hi, I’m Savannah Brooks, 35 years old, born in Charleston, South Carolina, and now living in Seattle, Washington. My kitchen is small but full of life shelves stacked with spices from all over the world, a sourdough starter that feels like part of the family, and usually a pot bubbling away with something hearty and comforting.

Food has always been the center of my world. Growing up in Charleston, I was surrounded by Southern cooking shrimp and grits, okra stews, biscuits that could melt in your mouth. My grandmother was the first person who showed me that recipes are more than instructions they’re stories passed from one hand to another. I still keep her stained recipe cards in a box, though I’ve long since memorized every one.

My path wasn’t traditional. I studied journalism first, thinking I’d write stories for a living. And I do but now I write them on the plate. After years of working late nights in small cafés, catering weddings, and even running a food truck, I found my true rhythm in cooking that bridges my Southern roots with global inspiration. These days, you’ll find me folding lemongrass into chicken soup, adding harissa to cornbread batter, or topping fried green tomatoes with a touch of miso.

I don’t believe cooking is about perfection it’s about connection. My kitchen is a place for experiments, happy accidents, and plenty of laughter. I’ve burned cookies, curdled sauces, and dropped more than one cake. But every mistake taught me something, and every shared meal reminded me why I love this work.

I cook for people who want food that feels like home but isn’t afraid to wander a little. My hope is that when someone takes a bite of my food, they feel cared for, seen, and maybe a little inspired to try something new in their own kitchen.

So, welcome to my world where Southern comfort meets global curiosity, and every dish tells a story.

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