Description
Joanna Gaines’ bow tie pasta salad combines fresh Mediterranean ingredients with zesty herbs and creamy dressing. Pasta lovers will enjoy this quick, refreshing dish that brings summer flavors to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) farfalle pasta
- 11 oz (312 g) cherry tomatoes
- 5 oz (142 g) feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps whole grain mustard
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 6 basil leaves, sliced thin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook farfalle pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool rapidly.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic in a small bowl, creating a zesty, aromatic emulsion that will elevate the pasta’s flavor profile.
- Flavor Fusion: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the vibrant dressing, ensuring each pasta bow tie is evenly coated. Gently incorporate crumbled feta cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly sliced basil leaves.
- Seasoning and Marinating: Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting to perfect the flavor balance. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a harmonious taste.
- Serving Presentation: Just before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light, satisfying main course.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook bow tie pasta exactly 8-10 minutes for ideal al dente texture, preventing mushy consistency.
- Dressing Magic: Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and garlic vigorously to create a zesty emulsion that coats pasta evenly.
- Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate salad at least 2 hours to allow ingredients to marry and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Temperature Technique: Rinse pasta immediately with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking, ensuring perfect pasta texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg