Description
With tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fresh greens, and a drizzle of spicy honey vinaigrette, this Hot Honey Pasta Salad is the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and freshness in every bite—ideal for picnics, barbecues, or a simple summer dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup turkey ham, diced
- 2 cups baby arugula
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- For the Hot Honey Dressing:
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, following the package directions.
2. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down quickly and prevent sticking.
3. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the honey, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
4. Whisk or shake until the dressing is smooth and glossy.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, diced turkey ham, and chopped basil.
6. Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently toss until evenly coated.
7. Just before serving, gently fold in the baby arugula.
8. Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, skip the turkey ham or substitute with roasted chickpeas for protein and crunch.
Leftovers make a delicious lunch the next day; just add a squeeze of lemon before serving to freshen it up.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg