Description
A colorful and flavorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad featuring tender farfalle pasta tossed with zesty Italian dressing, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and bell pepper, combined with savory salami, creamy mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, and black olives. This versatile salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light lunch and can be chilled ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16-oz) box bow tie (farfalle) pasta
Dressing
- 1-2 cups zesty Italian dressing (8–16 oz; store-bought or homemade)
Vegetables
- 8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 oz broccoli, chopped into small florets (including stems if desired)
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional but recommended)
Meat and Cheese
- 1 lb salami, chopped
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 (8-oz) container fresh mozzarella balls (small pearls or halved larger ones)
Other
- 1 (2.25-oz) can sliced black olives, drained
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Shake off any excess water and transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss with dressing while warm: Add 1 cup of the zesty Italian dressing to the warm pasta and toss gently to coat all the noodles evenly. The warmth helps the pasta absorb some of the dressing’s flavor.
- Add remaining ingredients: To the dressed pasta, add the halved cherry tomatoes, chopped broccoli florets, diced yellow bell pepper, chopped salami, shredded Parmesan, fresh mozzarella balls, drained sliced black olives, and the optional chopped fresh basil or parsley. Toss everything together until well combined. Add additional dressing if needed to ensure everything is coated to your liking.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and enhances the salad’s taste and texture.
- Final toss and adjust: Just before serving, give the pasta salad a good toss. Stir in an additional ¼ to ½ cup of dressing if the pasta has absorbed too much and feels dry. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer, make your own zesty Italian dressing for a homemade touch.
- Feel free to substitute salami with other cured meats like pepperoni or omit meat for a vegetarian option.
- Chilling the salad overnight will deepen the flavors even more.
- Use fresh herbs like basil for added aroma and freshness.
- The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days but toss with fresh dressing before serving to refresh flavors.
