Looking for a quick and delightful dish that’s perfect for any occasion?
This Pasta Salad with Peas, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Prosciutto is just what you need.
With its vibrant flavors and easy preparation, it’s ideal for beginners who want a delicious meal with minimal fuss.
Tossed in a homemade tomato-basil dressing, this pasta salad brings a touch of elegance to your table without any of the hassle.

Ingredients
- 300g farfalle pasta (the cute bow-tie shapes)
- 200g frozen peas
- 1 large tomato
- 10 sundried tomatoes (stored in oil)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- A generous handful of fresh basil leaves
- 85g prosciutto or salami (whichever you prefer)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Peas
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the farfalle pasta and cook for 8 minutes.
- Toss in the frozen peas and continue boiling for another 2 minutes until both the pasta and peas are tender.
- Pour the pasta and peas into a colander. Rinse them under cold water to cool them down, then let them drain thoroughly.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
- Roughly chop the large tomato.
- In a food processor, combine the chopped tomato, half of the sundried tomatoes, olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic clove, and about 8 basil leaves.
- Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the dressing to a large salad bowl.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- Add the cooled pasta and peas to the bowl with the dressing.
- Roughly slice the remaining sundried tomatoes and add them to the salad.
- Tear the remaining basil leaves and add them as well.
- Tear the prosciutto or salami into bite-sized pieces and mix them into the salad.
- Gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve immediately, and if you can, enjoy it outside for a refreshing meal!
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute farfalle with other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or even rotini. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta you choose.
What if I don’t have sundried tomatoes?
f you don’t have sundried tomatoes, you can use regular cherry or grape tomatoes. Just chop them finely and add them to the dressing, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Quick Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 300 grams farfalle pasta (the cute bow-tie shapes)
- 200 grams frozen peas
- 1 large tomato
- 10 sundried tomatoes (stored in oil)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- A generous handful of fresh basil leaves
- 85 grams prosciutto or salami (whichever you prefer)
Instructions
Cook the Pasta and Peas
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.Add the farfalle pasta and cook for 8 minutes.Toss in the frozen peas and continue boiling for another 2 minutes until both the pasta and peas are tender.Pour the pasta and peas into a colander. Rinse them under cold water to cool them down, then let them drain thoroughly.
Prepare the Dressing
- Roughly chop the large tomato.In a food processor, combine the chopped tomato, half of the sundried tomatoes, olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic clove, and about 8 basil leaves. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.Blend until smooth.Transfer the dressing to a large salad bowl.
Assemble the Salad
- Add the cooled pasta and peas to the bowl with the dressing.Roughly slice the remaining sundried tomatoes and add them to the salad.Tear the remaining basil leaves and add them as well.Tear the prosciutto or salami into bite-sized pieces and mix them into the salad.Gently toss everything together until well combined.Serve immediately, and if you can, enjoy it outside for a refreshing meal!
Hey Sandra, can I toss in some feta cheese with the salad? Seems like it might add a nice tangy touch. Not sure how it’ll mesh with the sundried tomatoes tho.
Feta and sundried tomatoes are a match made in heaven, definitely give it a try!
tried this with rotini cuz thats all i had, turned out pretty good lol
can i add tuna insted of peas my cats luvs tuna lol peas not so much haha Sandra would my cats like this??
It’s important to remember that some human food ingredients can be harmful to cats. Always consult with a vet before introducing a new food to your cat’s diet.
Peas in pasta salad? Seriously? Can’t imagine that taste good.
hey so like can i use mayo instead of whatever that dressing is? not really a fan of fancy stuff just want something easy lol
If I add espresso shots to the dressing, does it become a breakfast salad? Asking for a friend who loves coffee more than life itself.
Gonna add chocolate chips to mine because, why not? It’s all about innovation, right?
Chocolate chips? In pasta salad? You might be onto something!
Tried this with gluten free pasta and it was awesome!!! So good to find recipes that adapt well thanks Sandra!!!
Not sure peas belong in any Italian-inspired dish. Traditional recipes never use them this way. What’s next, corn?
Corn actually sounds like a fun addition, why not get creative?
Could I swap peas for green beans? Not a big fan of peas tbh.
dunno why everyone’s raving about this, looks pretty standard to me. u can literally toss anything in pasta and call it a recipe