Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise
Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise blends tender farfalle with fragrant basil pesto and a tangy Italian-style dressing for a lively, herb-forward bite. Juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and artichoke hearts add pop and texture, while shredded Parmesan brings a rich, salty finish. It’s a refreshing side for picnics, potlucks, or light lunches on warm days.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook10 mins
- Serves10
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 49 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 51 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Food
- 3 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 14
- Heart Health
- 58
- Metabolic
- 23
- Digestive
- 6
- Inflammatory
- 33
- Performance
- 30
- General Wellness
- 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until slightly firm; rinse with cold water and drain.
- 2
Prepare the zesty Italian dressing according to the package directions.
- 3
In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, black olives, green olives, and cheese. Pour the dressing over everything, add the pesto, and stir until evenly coated. Refrigerate or serve immediately.
- Calories 248.5 kcal Moderate 12%
- Protein 11.85 g Good Source 24%
- Carbohydrate 32.24 g 12%
- Total Fat 8.88 g Moderate 11%
- Saturated Fat 2.74 g Moderate 14%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 12.07 mg Low Source 4%
- Sodium 514.32 mg High 22%
- Dietary Fiber 2.58 g Low Source 9%
- Total Sugars 1.7 g --
- Added Sugars 0.68 g Low Source 1%
- Calcium 221.95 mg Moderate 17%
- Iron 2.01 mg Moderate 11%
- Potassium 97.55 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin A 37.19 mcg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin C 2.42 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin D 0.08 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
About This Recipe
Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise is an Italian side dish recipe made with 8 ingredients. It takes about 25 mins, serves 10, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Artichoke Hearts, Black Olives, Cherry Tomato, and Farfalle Pasta. Each serving provides about 248.5 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise?
- It is an Italian salad recipe made with 8 ingredients, usually served for side dish or dinner or lunch or salad.
- What is Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise made of?
- The main ingredients are Artichoke Hearts, Black Olives, Cherry Tomato, Farfalle Pasta, Green Olives. The full list of 8 is above.
- How long does it take to make Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise?
- About 25 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 10 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 248.5 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 8 ingredients and 3 steps.
- Is Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise healthy?
- Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad Surprise has an easyChef Pro health score of 36/100. Per serving, it provides 248.5 calories and 11.85 g of protein, or 24% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 514.32 mg (22% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 2.74 g (14% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Tomatoes, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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