Why I love this bruschetta pasta salad recipe
I love recipes that taste like summer without requiring much effort, and this bruschetta pasta salad is one I make again and again.
It has all the fresh flavors I love in the classic Italian appetizer, sweet tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic and balsamic vinegar. Along with bow tie pasta that turns it into a filling side dish which always disappears quickly at barbecues and potlucks.
It’s also one of those recipes that’s even better when you make it ahead. So it’s perfect for entertaining.
Whether I’m serving it with grilled chicken, burgers or steak, or packing it for lunch the next day, it’s fresh, colorful and always a crowd-pleaser.
More pasta salad recipes
Ingredients
Here is your shopping list (for 12 side servings):
- Pasta – 8 ounces bow tie noodles
- Fresh produce – 3 Roma tomatoes, 1 small bunch fresh basil, 1 clove garlic
- Vinegar – 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Oil – 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Spices – ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Dairy – ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Seasoning – salt and pepper to taste
Substitutions & Additions
- You can use any other type of small pasta instead of the bowties.
- Replace the Roma tomatoes with cherry tomatoes if you prefer.
- For a little crunch, try adding some toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds.
- If you want a protein boost, grilled chicken or canned chickpeas will work.
How to make bruschetta pasta salad
1 | Prep work
To start, prep your ingredients:
- Dice the tomatoes.
- Chop the fresh basil.
- Mince the garlic.
2 | Make the bruschetta topping
In a large mixing bowl, add your diced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
The bowl will need to fit all of the pasta salad ingredients (including the pasta) so make sure it is big enough to hold everything.
Then stir everything together until it is well mixed.
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to keep the tomatoes fresh and let the flavors blend.
3 | Cook the pasta
While the mixture chills, bring a pot of water to a boil.
Cook your pasta according to the instructions on the package until the noodles are tender.
Pour the pasta into a colander in your sink.
Rinse them under cold running water for a few minutes until the noodles feel cool to the touch.
The cold water stops the pasta from cooking further and keeps it from getting sticky.
Don’t overcook the pasta or it will get mushy and fall apart when you mix it in the salad.
4 | Combine all ingredients
Add your cooled noodles along with the Parmesan cheese and a dash of salt and pepper into the large bowl with your tomato mixture.
Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper. They really help bring out the brightness of the tomatoes.
Use a large spoon to stir and lift the ingredients from the bottom of the bowl until everything is evenly coated and well combined.
Be gentle when you mix so you don’t accidentally squish the tomatoes or break the noodles.
5 | Chill
Cover your bowl tightly and put it back into the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours) to let the flavors fully develop before you serve it.
This dish tastes even better the next day after it has spent time in the fridge, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time.
Storage
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
It will stay fresh and tasty for about 3 days.
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 Roma tomatoes diced
- 1 small bunch fresh basil chopped (about ¼ cup)
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 8 ounces bow tie noodles
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- large bowl
- large spoon
- Large pot
- colander
Instructions
- Add the tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic and oregano to a large bowl. Stir to combine.3 Roma tomatoes, 1 small bunch fresh basil, 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic clove, ½ teaspoon oregano
- Chill for at least 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the pasta to a pot of boiling water, cook according to the package until the noodles are tender.8 ounces bow tie noodles
- Drain into a colander and run under cold water for a few minutes until noodles are chilled.
- Add the chilled noodles, Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to the bowl.¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste
- Toss to combine.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours) before serving
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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