Description

California Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for warm weather gatherings or as a make-ahead meal. Featuring bow tie pasta combined with a colorful array of fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, and bell peppers, this salad is tossed in a zesty Italian dressing with a touch of Parmesan, paprika, and garlic for a flavorful punch. It’s easy to prepare, vibrant, and satisfying as a side or light main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

1 pound bow tie (farfalle) pasta

Vegetables

10 ounces cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 large cucumber, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small red onion, diced
2 small cans sliced black olives (about 6 ounces total)

Dressing & Seasoning

1 bottle (16 ounces) Zesty Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the bow tie pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente, about 10-12 minutes depending on your pasta brand. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain well.
Combine pasta and vegetables: Place the cooled pasta in a large mixing bowl. Add the sliced cherry tomatoes, diced zucchini, cucumber, green and red bell peppers, diced red onion, and sliced black olives. Gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly mixed.
Prepare and add dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Zesty Italian salad dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, celery seed, and garlic powder until well combined. Pour this dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Chill and serve: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 4 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. When ready, give it a final toss and serve chilled. Enjoy your refreshing California Pasta Salad!

Notes

For best flavor, prepare the salad at least a few hours in advance so the dressing can fully absorb into the pasta and vegetables.
You can add fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness if desired.
Ensure to rinse and cool the pasta well to prevent it from continuing to cook and becoming mushy.
Use a zesty or tangy Italian dressing to complement the vegetables and enhance flavor depth.
This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.