Description
A delicious and colorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad that is perfect for a quick lunch or as a side dish for a summer barbecue. This salad is packed with cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a flavorful pesto dressing.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (4 cups) bow tie pasta, dry
Salad Ingredients:
- 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
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons pesto
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil water, cook pasta until slightly past al dente, drain, toss with olive oil, and let cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine pesto, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bocconcini cheese, spinach, and basil.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad, season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to coat.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can customize this salad by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or other vegetables.
- For a creamier dressing, add a dollop of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the pesto mixture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
