California Pasta Salad – A Fresh and Vibrant Summer Dish

This California Pasta Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that’s perfect for those warm summer days. Bursting with fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, this pasta salad is complemented by a tangy Italian dressing and grated Parmesan. The use of bow tie pasta (farfalle) provides a fun texture, while the addition of black olives adds a touch of saltiness. This dish is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a light lunch on a hot day. You can make it ahead of time and chill it to enhance the flavors, making it a convenient and delicious option for any gathering.

Ingredients:

• 14 oz bow tie (farfalle) pasta
  
  

• 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 (approximately 3.5 oz) sliced black olives, drained
  
  

For the Zesty Italian Dressing:

• 1 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
  
  

• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  
  

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bow tie pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside.
   
   

2. While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion. Place all the vegetables along with the sliced black olives into a spacious mixing bowl.
   
   

3. In a separate bowl, combine the Italian salad dressing with the grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
   
   

4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of fresh vegetables. Pour the zesty dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
   
   

5. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving):

• Calories: 123 kcal
  
  

• Total Fat: 9g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 2g
  
  

• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 2mg
  
  

• Sodium: 446mg
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 9g
  
  

• Fiber: 1g
  
  

• Sugar: 6g
  
  

• Protein: 2g