Description
A fresh and vibrant bow tie pasta salad tossed with grated parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, black olives, and zesty Italian dressing. Simple, flavorful, and perfect for gatherings or easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add bow tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and allow it to cool slightly.
- Transfer warm pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, and chopped parsley.
- Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Stir in grated parmesan cheese and season with salt and black pepper.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving, then toss again and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously for better flavor.
- Toss the pasta with dressing while slightly warm for better absorption.
- Add extra parmesan just before serving for a stronger flavor.
- If the salad seems dry after chilling, add a small splash of dressing and toss.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg