Description
Bow tie pasta salad brings Mediterranean flavors dancing across your plate with colorful ingredients and zesty dressing. Fresh herbs and crisp vegetables create a delightful summer meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) bow tie (farfalle) pasta
- 1/2 pound (227 grams) deli ham, cubed
- 1/2 pound (227 grams) cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1 1/2 cups (225 grams) frozen peas
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for pasta water)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook bow tie pasta for one minute longer than package directions. During the final minute of cooking, introduce frozen peas into the water.
- Drain pasta and peas, then rapidly cool by rinsing under cold water to halt cooking process.
- Create a creamy dressing by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil, chopped parsley, mustard, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Gently incorporate cooked pasta and peas into the dressing, ensuring even coating.
- Add diced ham, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped bell pepper, and sliced green onions to the pasta mixture.
- Carefully fold all ingredients together, maintaining a light touch to prevent pasta from breaking.
- Seal the salad in a container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, optionally stir in additional dressing or a splash of milk to restore moisture and freshness.
- Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by adding an extra minute to achieve ideal al dente texture, ensuring it’s not too firm or mushy.
- Rapidly cool pasta and peas with cold water to stop cooking process and maintain vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Customize protein options by swapping ham with grilled chicken, turkey, or tofu for different dietary preferences and protein needs.
- Enhance creamy dressing consistency by adjusting thickness with milk or additional yogurt, creating a lighter or richer sauce based on personal taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 487
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 732 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg