Description
Joanna Gaines’ bow tie pasta salad combines fresh Mediterranean flavors with hearty pasta and zesty dressing. Crisp vegetables and tangy herbs create a refreshing summer dish that brings friends and family together around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) farfalle pasta
- 11 ounces (312 grams) cherry tomatoes
- 5 ounces (142 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) lemon juice
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Garnish and Seasoning:
- 6 basil leaves, sliced thin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat water in a generously sized pot, adding a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge farfalle pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until perfectly tender yet firm (al dente), following package guidelines for precise cooking time.
- Create a vibrant dressing by combining freshly squeezed lemon juice (approximately 2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters), extra virgin olive oil (3 tablespoons or 45 milliliters), robust Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon or 15 milliliters), and finely minced garlic cloves in a compact mixing container.
- Thoroughly drain pasta through a colander, then immediately rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and rapidly reduce temperature, preventing further softening.
- Transfer cooled pasta to a spacious mixing bowl, gently incorporating the prepared zesty dressing, ensuring even distribution across each pasta curve.
- Delicately fold in crumbled feta cheese (4 ounces or 113 grams), halved cherry tomatoes (1 cup or 150 grams), and elegantly sliced fresh basil leaves, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning to achieve a perfectly balanced profile.
- Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste.
- Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. Present chilled as a refreshing side dish or light main course.
Notes
- Prevent pasta clumping by stirring gently during cooking and adding a splash of olive oil after draining.
- Chill pasta salad ingredients separately before combining to maintain crisp textures and vibrant flavors.
- Customize the recipe by swapping vegetables or adding protein like grilled chicken or mozzarella cheese.
- Select firm, ripe cherry tomatoes with deep color for maximum sweetness and best visual appeal.
- Keep leftovers fresh by storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg