Classic Italian Cold Pasta Salad
Farfalle and Mozzarella

A refreshing Italian cold pasta salad featuring bow-tie farfalle, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella chunks, and ham, tossed in extra virgin olive oil.

Ingredients

• 250 g farfalle pasta
• 200 g cherry tomatoes
• 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
• 50 g Parmesan cheese
• 150 g mozzarella cheese
• 150 g cooked ham
• to taste extra virgin olive oil
• 16 g salt

Instructions

1. 1Cut the cherry tomatoes

   

   Place the cherry tomatoes on a cutting board and slice them in half using a sharp knife. This prepares them to release their juices easily when mixed with the other ingredients.

   Tip: Use a serrated knife or a very sharp chefs knife to slice the tomatoes cleanly without crushing them.
2. 2Transfer Cherry Tomatoes

   

   Transfer the freshly cut cherry tomatoes into a large mixing bowl to begin assembling the cold pasta salad base.

   Tip: Make sure to scrape the cutting board to capture all the fresh tomato juices.
3. 3Season with Salt

   

   Sprinkle salt evenly over the halved cherry tomatoes in the bowl to help draw out their natural flavors.

   Tip: Seasoning the tomatoes early allows them to lightly pickle in their own juices.
4. 4Drizzle Olive Oil

   

   Pour extra virgin olive oil directly over the seasoned cherry tomatoes to build the base of the dressing.

   Tip: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor profile.
5. 5Add Fresh Basil

   

   Place washed fresh basil leaves directly on top of the oiled cherry tomatoes in the mixing bowl.

   Tip: Tear the basil leaves slightly by hand if you want to release their aromatic oils faster.
6. 6Grate Parmesan Cheese

   

   Freshly grate Parmesan cheese over the basil leaves and cherry tomatoes using a handheld microplane grater.

   Tip: Freshly grated cheese melts into the warm oil and juices much better than pre-shredded varieties.
7. 7Mix the tomatoes, basil, and cheese

   

   Take the bowl containing the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves, then add grated Parmesan cheese. Using a fork, gently stir the mixture together to evenly distribute the cheese and coat the ingredients with olive oil.

   Tip: Toss gently to bruise the basil just enough to release its aroma without tearing the leaves completely.
8. 8Cut the mozzarella cheese

   

   Place a block of fresh mozzarella cheese onto a cutting board and slice it cleanly into bite-sized chunks using a sharp chefs knife.

   Tip: Keep the chunks uniform in size so they distribute evenly throughout the cold pasta salad.
9. 9Add mozzarella to the salad

   

   Transfer the freshly cut mozzarella cheese chunks directly into the large bowl containing the tomato and basil mixture, then gently fold them in to combine.

   Tip: Add the cheese carefully so the soft chunks maintain their shape and dont break apart.
10. 10Slice and add the ham

    

    Cut the ham into neat cubes or slices, then add them straight into the large bowl along with the tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese, mixing everything thoroughly.

    Tip: Cut the ham to a similar size as the mozzarella chunks for a balanced texture in every bite.
11. 11Boil the pasta water

    

    Bring two liters of water to a rolling boil in a pot, then add sixteen grams of salt to season the water properly before cooking the pasta.

    Tip: Salting the water adequately is essential since this is a cold pasta dish and the pasta needs flavor from the inside out.
12. 12Boil the pasta water

    

    Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, adding plenty of salt to season the water adequately before cooking the pasta.

    Tip: Ensure the water is at a full boil before adding salt and pasta to achieve the proper texture.
13. 13Cook the farfalle pasta

    

    Add the farfalle pasta into the boiling salted water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.

    Tip: Stir the pasta occasionally during the first minute to prevent the pieces from sticking together.
14. 14Add the cooked pasta

    

    Scoop out the freshly boiled farfalle pasta and pour it directly into the large bowl containing the previously mixed salad ingredients.

    Tip: Make sure to add the pasta while warm so it absorbs the flavors of the olive oil and other ingredients.
15. 15Combine pasta and salad

    

    Pour the freshly cooked farfalle pasta directly into the large mixing bowl containing the previously prepared salad ingredients.

    Tip: Combining the pasta while it is still warm helps it absorb the flavors of the oil and seasonings.
16. 16Drizzle with olive oil

    

    Drizzle extra virgin olive oil generously over the newly added pasta and ingredients in the bowl to add richness and prevent sticking.

    Tip: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil since it is a primary flavor component in a cold pasta dish.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions