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California Pasta Salad

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  • Author: mohamed
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A vibrant and refreshing California Pasta Salad perfect for warm weather gatherings and potlucks.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz bow tie (farfalle) pasta
  • 1 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
  • 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ large green bell pepper, diced
  • ½ large red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small can sliced black olives (3.5 oz), drained

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water.
  2. While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion. Combine in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the zesty Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables, drizzle the dressing over it, and gently toss to coat.
  5. Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Make-ahead: The salad tastes even better after a day in the fridge. Consider adding other ingredients like grilled chicken or fresh herbs.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg