Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad is loaded with flavor and texture—featuring prosciutto, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and mini bocconcini, all tossed in a zippy homemade vinaigrette. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish or light main for summer parties, potlucks, or weekday lunches!
Servings: 6
Calories: 434kcal
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander
- Cutting board and knife
- large mixing bowl
- Small bowl or mason jar (for the dressing)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Salad tongs or a large spoon for tossing
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 12 oz bow tie farfalle pasta
- 5 slices prosciutto chopped
- ¾ cup pepperoni
- 2 mini cucumbers chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup mini bocconcini
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, whole grain mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- While the pasta is cooling, chop the prosciutto, pepperoni, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and bocconcini. Roughly chop the parsley and basil as well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped meats, veggies, bocconcini, and herbs.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together. Give it one last toss and taste for seasoning before serving.
Notes
- Use cold, well-drained pasta to avoid soggy salad.
- Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together.
- Double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd—it disappears fast!
Nutrition
Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 651IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 2mg
