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Bow Tie Pasta Salad

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring bow tie pasta, cherry tomatoes, bocconcini cheese, and a delicious pesto dressing, perfect for summer gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 ounces dry bow tie pasta
Vegetables
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
Cheese
  • 1 cup bocconcini cheese, halved Choose fresh bocconcini from local farms for an undeniable flavor boost.
Greens
  • 1 cup spinach, packed and finely chopped Spinach is packed with iron and antioxidants.
  • 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped
Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons pesto Opt for homemade pesto to enhance freshness.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 fruit lemon, juiced Juice of half a lemon.
  • Salt and black pepper to taste Make sure to season the dressing adequately!

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let it cool completely in a colander.
Combining Ingredients
  1. In a spacious bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, halved bocconcini cheese, finely chopped spinach, and basil.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together pesto, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
Dressing the Salad
  1. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad, tossing gently to combine everything thoroughly.
Serving
  1. For optimal flavor, serve immediately, or for enhanced depth, chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Enhance the salad's nutritional profile by adding nuts or colorful veggies. To reheat leftovers, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-15 minutes to retain texture.