Bowtie Pasta Salad
Whether you're eating it at a park, serving it at a barbecue or potluck, or just making it ahead of time and stashing it in the fridge for easy lunches, this bowtie pasta salad always satisfies.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces mini bowtie pasta OR alternate tiny pasta
- 1 broccoli crown cut into tiny broccoli florets about 2 cups
- 1 small English cucumber diced into ½-inch pieces about 1 cup
- 1 small red pepper diced into ½-inch pieces about ¾ cup
- ¼ small red onion very thinly sliced and chopped about ¼ cup
Dressing Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the directions on the package, adding a generous tablespoon or so of kosher salt to the water as it cooks. When the pasta is done, drain it in a large colander and rinse well with cold water to halt the cooking process.
- While the pasta is cooking, place the broccoli in a glass bowl along with a tablespoon of water. Microwave for 60-90 seconds, until the broccoli is bright green and barely softened. Set aside.
- Stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the bowl and stir well to coat.
- Add the cucumber, pepper, olives, and onions and stir again. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again just before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 992IU | Vitamin C: 88mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg