Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Bow Tie Pasta Salad featuring al dente bow tie pasta tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and creamy feta cheese, all coated in a tangy homemade vinaigrette dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups bow tie pasta
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Cook Pasta: Add the bow tie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain and Cool: Drain the pasta in a colander and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
- Prepare Vegetables: While pasta cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the black olives.
- Crumble Feta: Crumble the feta cheese and set aside.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Season Dressing: Add salt and black pepper to taste and mix well.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl; add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
- Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Toss again before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Use freshly grated feta cheese for a creamier texture and better taste.
- You can substitute black olives with kalamata olives for a more robust flavor.
- Add fresh herbs such as basil or parsley for extra freshness.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
