Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This colorful Italian Farfalle Pasta Salad is packed with fresh flavor, crunchy veggies, and bold Italian ingredients. Quick to toss together and always a crowd favorite, it’s the perfect side for BBQs, potlucks, or weeknight dinners!
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 16 ounces mini Farfalle pasta
- 2.25 ounce can sliced black olives
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes cut in half
- ½ cup salami sliced
- ½ cup pepperonis sliced into smaller pieces
- 1 cup cucumber. diced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese diced into small pieces
- 16 ounce bottle zesty Italian dressing
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse and add to a large bowl.
- Add remaining ingredients, stir to combine.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Cook pasta to al dente: Overcooked pasta will turn mushy when tossed with the dressing. For best texture, cook until just firm to the bite.
- Rinse after cooking: Rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and prevents clumping, helping the dressing coat evenly.
- Serve fresh: Bow tie pasta salad is best enjoyed within a day or two for the freshest flavor and texture. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 5 days.