This vibrant and flavorful Bow Tie Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that combines the chewiness of farfalle pasta with a medley of fresh vegetables, savory salami, and sharp Parmesan cheese. Tossed in a tangy homemade Italian vinaigrette, it's a perfect side dish for summer gatherings, picnics, or potlucks.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 lb (16 oz) bow tie pasta (farfalle)

• 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 cup black olives, halved

• 2 cups bell peppers, sliced

• 1 cup red onions, diced

• 8 oz salami, sliced

• 1 cup fresh basil, julienned

• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

For the Dressing:

• ½ cup red wine vinegar

• 1 cup olive oil

• 4–6 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tsp granulated sugar

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, sugar, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.

2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly.

3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the cherry tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, red onions, salami, and half of the shredded Parmesan cheese.

4. Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.

5. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to develop. Just before serving, sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh basil over the salad. Toss lightly and serve chilled.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 333 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 31 g

• Protein: 14 g

• Fat: 17 g

• Saturated Fat: 5 g

• Cholesterol: 24 mg

• Sodium: 972 mg

• Potassium: 322 mg

• Fiber: 2 g

• Sugar: 6 g

• Vitamin A: 1015 IU

• Vitamin C: 11 mg

• Calcium: 330 mg

• Iron: 0.9 mg