In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the bowties until al dente. Rinse with cool water and drain.
In a large serving bowl, place the vinegar, salt, garlic, and pepper. Whisk to blend. Add the olive oil in a thin stream, whisking to blend.
Add the pasta, beans, tomatoes, pepper, and basil. Stir gently to combine. Adjust seasonings, adding salt to taste.
Chill for several hours to allow flavors to combine.
Notes
How I make this cheap:
This Cannellini Bowtie Pasta Salad is pretty economical by virtue of its being a meatless pasta dish getting its complex carbohydrate protein whatchacallit from the beans.Here are some of the strategies I use to make this recipe even more affordable:
Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale! When I see a great price on pasta, I buy a lot of it. We almost always have a stockpile of noodles in the pantry. The same goes for canned beans and spices.
Take advantage of tomatoes and peppers in season. You’ll enjoy better flavor and cheaper prices making this dish in the summer and fall. Be sure to ask the neighbors if they’ve got too much produce on their hands. Maybe they’ll share. You can also grow your own.