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    Home » Sides

    Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    Published: May 19, 2017 · Modified: Mar 29, 2022 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Bow Tie Pasta Salad is an ideal dish for laid back summer entertaining. Not only does it come together quickly, but it's also a great recipe to make ahead so you an focus on the best part of summertime: relaxing! 

    Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Pasta Salad is an ideal dish for laid back summer entertaining. Not only does it come together quickly, but it's also a great recipe to make ahead so you an focus on the best part of summertime: relaxing! Pair with light, refreshing Cavit Pinot Grigio for effortless elegance.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click a link and purchase an item I’ve recommended. Thanks for your support in running this blog!  

    Bow tie pasta salad is a perfect addition to spring picnics, summer gatherings, boating and beach days! This version contains fresh, Mediterranean flavors that pair beautifully with a glass of crisp white wine. 

    Check out all of my salad recipes for delicious options to enjoy year-round!

    This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan/dairy-free and gluten-free. (See Variations & Substitutions section below.)

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to Make Pasta Salad From Scratch
    • FAQ's
    • Pasta Salad Variations & Substitutions
    • Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe
    • Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    Ingredients

    This easy bow tie pasta salad houses a variety of flavorful little gems:

    • Farfalle (Bow tie pasta)
    • Kalamata olives
    • Feta cheese
    • Toasted pine nuts
    • Spinach

    The vinaigrette comes together easily with just a handful of ingredients:

    • Olive oil
    • Fresh orange juice
    • Orange zest
    • White balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
    • Garlic
    Bow Tie Pasta Salad overhead shot in a bowl with a sliced orange and glass of wine.

    Instructions

    Bring a pot of liberally salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a rolling bowl, and prepare pasta according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, set up an ice bath by filling a large heat-safe bowl with ice and water.

    When the pasta is finished cooking, strain and plunge it into the ice water for 3-5 minutes until cooled. Drain and place pasta in a large bowl.

    Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, sea salt and grated garlic clove in a small bowl until fully combined. Set aside.

    Once you have all the elements prepared, it's time to assemble the pasta salad. Add chopped spinach, Kalamata olives, feta cheese and pine nuts to the cooled pasta. Pour vinaigrette over top and toss to fully coat.

    Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours or overnight; this allows the flavors to marry and intensify.

    How to Make Pasta Salad From Scratch

    There are endless pasta salad variations, but the formula for making any cold pasta salad is really the same across the board:

    • Pick a pasta shape. For this version, I went with farfalle, or bow tie pasta, because it's a fun shape and the little nooks and crannies do a good job of holding onto the add ins and vinaigrette, but you can really choose any type.
    • Cook the pasta. You'll want to follow the package directions or cook it until al dente for the best texture -- overcooking will cause your pasta to become too soft and mushy, and it will break as you mix in the other ingredients. Once the pasta is al dente, you'll want to stop the cooking process -- see below for details on how to do so -- and make sure that the pasta is cooled down before adding in any dressing or vinaigrette to reduce absorption.
    • Choose your add-ins. The options are limitless, but chopped veggies (raw or roasted for a more complex flavor) such as olives, tomatoes, zucchini, corn, cucumbers, etc. are wonderful additions to pasta salad, as well as pickled or preserved vegetables like artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and pepperoncini. Greens of all kinds -- spinach, arugula, kale, cabbage -- are also a great choice. Proteins like cured meats, grilled chicken or shrimp and even chopped cold cuts are an easy way to make pasta salad a bit more filling and satisfying. Cheese (grated or diced), toasted nuts and fresh herbs are flavorful additions as well! You'll want to make sure that everything is chopped or diced into bite-sized pieces.
    • Toss with dressing or vinaigrette. Using a vinaigrette or dressing is a great way to add an extra pop of flavor and moisture to pasta salad. Not only does it coat the pasta and keep it from sticking, but it adds another layer of flavor and a bit of complexity to the dish.

    FAQ's

    Should Pasta Be Rinsed?

    Typically, pasta that is being used for hot dishes should not be rinsed after cooking as the starch is what helps sauces thicken and adhere. However, in the case of cold pasta salad, you'll want to "shock" the pasta to help stop the cooking process and ensure that the pasta doesn't overcook. 

    To do this, fill a large pot or bowl with ice water. When the pasta is cooked to the desired doneness, drain it into a strainer, give it a quick rinse in cold running water, and then plunge the pasta into the ice water for a few minutes. Not only will this stop any residual cooking, but it will also cool the pasta down faster. Once cooled, drain again, removing as much water as possible and place in a bowl.

    Can Pasta Salad Be Made Ahead?

    Yes! In fact, I prefer for my bow tie pasta salad to sit in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours before serving as this helps all the flavors marry and infuses the pasta with great flavor! 

    How do I store pasta salad?

    Stored in an airtight container, pasta salad can keep in the refrigerator for 5-7 days depending on the ingredients. (Some ingredients may cause the pasta to break down faster than others.)

    Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Pasta Salad is an ideal dish for laid back summer entertaining. Not only does it come together quickly, but it's also a great recipe to make ahead so you an focus on the best part of summertime: relaxing! Pair with light, refreshing Cavit Pinot Grigio for effortless elegance.

    Pasta Salad Variations & Substitutions

    If you'd like to try out some other easy pasta or grain salads, check out these other delicious recipes:

    • Heathy Pasta Salad
    • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
    • Springtime Farro Salad with Burrata

    Diet-Specific Substitutions

    • Vegan: To make this pasta salad vegan, simply omit the feta cheese or swap it out for a plant-based cheese of your liking
    • Gluten-Free: Make this pasta salad gluten free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta in place of regular pasta.

    Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe

    • Silicone Collapsible Strainer or Clip-on Silicone Colander
    • Salad dressing and Vinaigrette Shaker
    • Microplane Zester
    Bow tie pasta salad in a bowl next to wine in a glass.

    Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Bow Tie Pasta Salad

    The Kitchen Prep
    Citrusy Spinach, Olive, Feta & Pine Nut Pasta Bow Tie Pasta Salad is an ideal dish for laid back summer entertaining. Not only does it come together quickly, but it’s also a great recipe to make ahead so you an focus on the best part of summertime: relaxing!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 11 mins
    Refrigeration Time 3 hrs
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 ounces bow tie pasta {farfalle}
    • 1 ½ cups fresh chopped spinach
    • ⅓ cup chopped kalamata olives
    • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
    • ⅓ cup lightly toasted pine nuts

    For vinaigrette:

    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 tablespoons fresh orange juice
    • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
    • 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 small clove garlic grated or minced

    Instructions
     

    Cook Pasta

    • Bring a pot of liberally salted water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a rolling bowl, and prepare pasta according to package directions. While the pasta cooks, set up an ice bath by filling a large heat-safe bowl with ice and water.
    • When the pasta is finished cooking, strain and plunge it into the ice water for 3-5 minutes until cooled. Drain and place pasta in a large bowl.

    Make Vinaigrette

    • Meanwhile, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, sea salt and grated garlic clove in a small bowl until fully combined. Set aside.

    Assemble Pasta Salad

    • Add chopped spinach, Kalamata olives, feta cheese and pine nuts to the cooled pasta. Pour vinaigrette over top and toss to fully coat.
    • Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours or overnight.

    Notes

    Recipe may be doubled to serve a larger crowd. 
    Dietary Substitutions:
    • Vegan: To make this pasta salad vegan, simply omit the feta cheese or swap it out for a plant-based cheese of your liking
    • Gluten-Free: Make this pasta salad gluten free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta in place of regular pasta.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rebecca says

      June 01, 2017 at 2:43 am

      Wow! Looks so tasty! Can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • thekitchenprep says

        June 01, 2017 at 11:30 am

        Thanks, Rebecca! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

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