Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad includes everything you desire in an Italian pasta salad. This irresistible Italian pasta dish has striped lemon-yellow and basil-green bow tie pasta. A light vinaigrette dresses the colorful pasta, summer vegetables, and fresh mozzarella cheese. We added our favorite antipasto ingredients, start with ours or add your own. See if this salad isn’t the first dish to go at your gathering. This recipe has been updated from the original August 2017 version in order to provide a better experience for our readers. Last updated May 2019. 
Antipasto salad instead of plain Italian pasta salad is a family gathering favorite.
Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad – Pasta Selection
The minute I spotted the striped farfalle pasta at Aldi’s, I knew that those bow ties were going to a party. There is everyday pasta, and then there is pasta for a special occasion.
Our family fish fry definitely rated as a special occasion. Our son Reid and his wife Lauren hosted our family gathering and decided we should extend the party to not only celebrate our daughter Shelley’s birthday. . .
Daughter Michelle and husband Dave.
. . . but also our son Jason’s birthday, who would be on military duty in Asia. They stuck my birthday in there too, but we won’t mention it! ????
Our son, Jason’s, mountain climb at Shuksan
Now, I have to confess; the annual family fish fry didn’t have any fish, it ended up a family pulled pork and fried chicken tenders picnic with some terrific buns. Why? No fish to fry. ????Last winter fishing in Florida was terrible. Then to make matters worse, in May, Honey had the same luck at Saint Simons Island.
We heard no complaints about the substitution! ????
So, when we found the bow ties in lemon, yellow, and red stripes, we knew that the pulled pork and chicken would have colorful company to jazz up the plate.
Striped Farfalle make the Italian pasta salad colorful.
Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad – Vegetable, Meat Selection
Veggie selection for the Italian pasta salad was easy. It had to have an Italian flavor, and it had to be colorful.
Vegetable preferences.
- Grape tomatoes are a must in our pasta salads. We prefer them to any other tomato. They’re sweet, colorful, and they don’t release a lot of juice.
- Purple onions are mild, and they give the salad color and taste.
- Peperoncini, which we all love, give the dish a nice briny heat.
- Salty Kalamata olives are a must for our pasta salad.
Meat and cheese preferences
- It’s an unwritten law that cheese has to be in a antipasto salad. This time fresh mozzarella cheese was our choice.
- And last but not least, what could be more Italian than Genoa hard salami? YUM! ???? Genoa is part of what is considered the Italian Riviera! Nice, huh??
Genoa Province, Liguria, the Italian Riviera
Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad – Putting it together
The instructions for the pasta salad are so simple I’m almost embarrassed to include them but just in case there is a newcomer I’ll add them:
- Make the pasta according to package directions. Make sure that it’s al dente (to the tooth) and add a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Halve the grape tomatoes.
- Slice the Kalamata olives.
- Slice the Purple onion.
- Cube the fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Slice the Genoa salami into short slices.
- Drain the peperoncini.
- Favorite Italian salad dressing (we used Gerard’s Old Venice Italian) or plain olive oil and white balsamic vinegar.
- Fresh basil sliced into thin ribbons.
- Lots of freshly ground pepper.
That’s it. Put the antipasto salad all together and let it sit in the fridge at least for several hours or overnight.
A delicious Italian pasta salad mixed with antipasto tray goodies.
The Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad is a great Italian antipasto pasta salad for family gatherings or picnics. It travels well, and it tastes fantastic.
Our delicious birthday party celebration!
This year for the birthday cake I made Ambrosia Coconut Cake. A three layer cake with a creamy pineapple coconut filling that’s to die for. The cake is frosted with Vanilla Buttercream. It’s the type of cake that wipes the word diet or counting calories right out of your mind!! I’ll be posting the recipe very soon.
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
YOU MAY NEED…
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A glass salad bowl like this is just what you want to serve a beautiful salad in. We’ve had ours since we were first married and I love using it so you can see all the pretty colors in the salad. Throughout the years we’ve even served desserts in it and fruit salads.
Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad An Italian Pasta Dish Celebrating Summer
This is not your ordinary Italian pasta salad. This antipasto salad will be a star at your next gathering or potluck. And believe me, there will be friends and family who’ll go back for seconds. If you plan on tasting the salad yourself, leave some in the fridge for you to enjoy later. Yes! it’s that good.
If you like this recipe, please consider giving it a 5-star rating.
Lemon Basil Farfalle Salad An Italian Pasta Dish Celebrating Summer
Ingredients
- 1 lb. farfalle pasta bow ties or pasta of choice, cooked according to directions.
- 8 oz. grape tomatoes halved.
- 1/2 purple onion sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced Kalamata olives.
- 1/2 cup sliced Genoa Salami
- 1 cup cubed fresh mozzarella cheese.
- 1 small jar peperoncini drained
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 bottle favorite Italian white vinaigrette or make your own.
- 10 fresh basil leaves sliced into ribbons chiffonade.
Instructions
- Made the pasta according to directions. Make sure not to overcook. Drain and put the pasta in a large bowl. Add a bit of the dressing to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb more liquid as it’s in the refrigerator.
- Layer the ingredients one on top of each other. When all of the ingredients are in the bowl pour more dressing on top and mix well. Grind some pepper over the salad. Sprinkle the basil ribbons over the ingredients. Mix again. It’s better to add a little at a time and check the amount before serving. You don’t want the salad overloaded with dressing.
- Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator.
- When ready to serve, check to see if it has enough dressing. Add more to your taste.
- Garnish with basil.
Notes
Nutrition
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Jennifer Mann says
there is no lemon in the recipe. why is it lemon basil?
Marisa Franca says
Hi Jennifer! The reason it is lemon basil is because we used Lemon Farfalle pasta and Basil Farfalle pasta. Both pastas were excellent. xoxo
Susie says
I was planning on making a pasta salad for July 4th. Thanks, to you…..I now have my pasta salad recipe….Can’t wait to make it! I also love pictures of the kids…..so good????. Hi and love to all❤️
Danyelle Whitley says
When looking at the photo it looked hard to make but after reading your instructions, I’m going to add this to my cooking schedule with my kids. Who doesn’t love pasta? But adding the olives and tomatoes, it will help my kids see the different flavors of ingredients make the pasta not the main component. We will be trying this out this week!
Marisa Franca says
Hello, Danyelle! I’m sure you and your kids will enjoy making the pasta. All of my kids love to cook – boys and girl. Have a great weekend.
Lois Christensen says
I have never seen pasta like this! How fun would this be for a party! Thanks for sharing.
Arlene Mobley says
The salad looks amazing. I have never seen lemon bow tie pasta before. I will have to keep my eye out for it.
Have you ever had Lemon Basil? If you ever plant a herb garden you have to grow some lemon basil. It is amazing. One of my favorite basils.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
Sounds like a GREAT pasta salad. Perfect as a side…to all the BBQ’s this summer. Great as a stand alone for a meal. I am so looking forward to the warm sunny weather. I am going to attempt to have a herb garden. Basil will be one of the things I will be growing for sure.
Veena Azmanov says
A Bowl full of goodness and health. Cant wait to grab this amazing Bowl of Salad. Tempting and colorful too.
Jolina says
This pasta is definitely a party pasta if I ever saw one 🙂 And the salad looks so bright and vibrant! What a perfect way to welcome the warmer weather. PS: It was really nice that you shared pictures of your family. Hope everyone is doing well!
Lori Hill says
What a delicious pasta salad! Sounds like your family gathering was very nice too! Thank you for sharing at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures says
‘Hopping over from the Blogging Grandmothers Party. Any time I’ve tried your recipes, they’ve become a family favorite. I bet this one does, too. We love all those ingredients, but have never combined them quite like that. 😉 Thank you for sharing the love from your kitchen! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Marie Renello says
What a good looking family you have Marisa, and of course your food always looks so appealing.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Marie! Thank you for your sweet comment. Your recipes are always so inspiring.!!
[email protected] says
We’re both channeling the lemon these days! I love how pretty this pasta is – dresses up any dish! I love seeing the photos of your beautiful family!
Nikki Gwin says
Hi Marisa. I am visiting from the Blogging Grandmother Series and I am drooling just looking at all your food pictures! When we eat out, my favorite place to go is Italian.
It is a pleasure to meet you and hope to see you around.
🙂 gwingal
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Nikki! It’s a pleasure to meet you too. Thank you for taking a look at our blog and your sweet comment about the photos. We do love to cook and needless to say we love to eat. ???? I can’t wait to read about you at Blogging Grandmothers. Have a wonderful weekend. ????
Christie Hawkes says
This salad looks divine and striped pasta–what fun! I’ve never seen anything like it. I found your blog through your Grammy’s Grid interview. So glad I did!
~Christie
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Christie! I’m glad you found me too. Isn’t Dee the sweetest person? The salad was fun to make with the striped pasta — and a plus was it was good too. Have a great weekend. xoxo
Ciao Chow Linda says
I must confess I’m not a fan of pasta salads, but yours, with those adorable and colorful bow ties, seems irresistible. I loved seeing your beautiful children too – and God bless your son in his military duty.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Linda! We are proud of our children and we are counting the hours until Jason is back home. Un abbraccio forte!
Catherine says
The Riviera is gorgeous! I love the striped farfalle…what a delicious salad, Marisa!
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Catherine. It’s always great to have fun looking food that tastes good too. I’m dreaming of escaping there — what a view.
Noel Lizotte says
Well, who needs fish for a fish fry, anyway? As long as you’ve got side dishes like this, I’m pretty sure nobody noticed the missing fish!
Marisa Franca says
You’re right, Noel. Nobody complained about no fish. That’s okay, this fall Hubby can try again for the fish.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
We do fish fries all the time! We are lucky that we live in Florida near the gulf coast so we have fresh fish available year round. However, sometimes you go out and come back with nothing. Anyways. This pasta salad sounds so good, and it does sound like y’all ended up eating good anyway!
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Joanna! Well, we were on the Gulf Coast for 3 months this winter and that’s exactly what we got — not a heck of a lot. We had to end up buying our fish. Did the Red Tide affect your part of the coast? Have a wonderful weekend.xoxo
Veena Azmanov says
Oh I don’t usually make lemon pasta.. but it sounds so refreshing .I love the flavors you have going here. Sounds so delish. My kids love the bow tie pasta. !
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Veena! It did make for a fun dish — very colorful and flavorful. Have a great weekend. ????
Veronika says
I love the combination of flavors you have here. Perfect idea for lunch)
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Veronika! It would make a great lunch.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
wow the lemon bow tie pasta is so cute I want to buy some for cooking this at home. Love the combinations sounds super fresh and tasty
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Adriana! If you have an Aldi’s down your way, check them out. That’s where I got the imported pasta.
Pam Wattenbarger says
I love pasta salads. It’s always nice to find new recipes for it! This lemon basil farfalle salad is definitely on my to-try list.
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Pam! We love it too. So good and I thought the striped pasta was festive.
Julia says
Haha – love your law about cheese and pasta salad! And I agree with you! The flavours are scrumptious – olives, mozzarella – Delicious!
Marisa Franca says
I know — the cheese is an absolute MUST!!????
Chiara says
un delizioso piatto di pasta è sempre ben accetto e se condito così ancor di più! (ho scritto in italiano questa volta), un caro abbraccio !
Marisa Franca says
Ciao, Chiara! Grazie mille. Mi piace tantissimo quando scrivi in italiano. Può leggere meglio che può scrivere. Un abbraccio forte!
Susie says
Don’t you love when you find something totally out of the norm, like the lemon pasta? The salad sounds so fresh and tasty! Another yummy recipe to try for my family……..Enjoyed pictures of the kids???? Tell everyone we said hi and send our love. JASON is in our prayers for a quick return home.
Thanks, Marisa
Marisa Franca says
Hi, Susie!! I certainly was surprised Aldi had such a great imported pasta — it’s just the type we like to buy. I’ll be sure and give your love to all the kids. We can’t wait until Jason is back!!! Love and hugs to you and your clan.
Parsimonious Décor Darling says
It sounds as though we both have Italia in mind this Summer. The salad looks absolute delish! I am visiting you from Sundays at Home with Jennifer Carroll.
Marisa Franca says
Ciao!! Yes, indeed! Italia is always on my mind. Thank you for visiting and commenting! Jennifer Carroll is terrific, isn’t she?!
Jovina Coughlin says
What a delicious pasta salad with so many wonderful ingredients. It just says summer when you look at it.
Lovely photos Marissa.
Marisa Franca says
Thank you, Jovina! It really was a great find at Aldi. I couldn’t believe it. When we went back for more it was all gone! I would have bought more and saved. Hope you’re having a good weekend.