This Bruschetta Pasta Salad is easy to make and perfect for summer. It’s fresh-tasting and bursting with cherry tomatoes and basil.
Is it feeling like summer where you live yet? It’s been in the low 80s here lately, and it feels hot! I just planted some cherry tomato and basil seeds, so I’m looking forward to making this Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad all summer 🙂
Tomato and basil are two flavors that complement each other perfectly. And they’re even better with fresh garlic and balsamic vinegar. This pasta salad is so easy to make that you’ll want to eat it all the time.
What Is Bruschetta?
Traditionally, bruschetta is sliced bread toasted with olive oil and topped with a mixture of tomato, garlic, basil, and balsamic vinegar. It’s a summery dish and usually eaten as an appetizer, but I could be perfectly happy enjoying it for a meal! In this Bruschetta Pasta Salad, I use pasta instead of bread, and it’s a great dish to enjoy for lunch or bring to a potluck!
Why Your Body
Will Love This Fresh and Easy Pasta Salad
- Antioxidants – Tomatoes boast antioxidant power. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals in the blood, and the lycopene in tomatoes may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C, which supports our immune systems.
- Vitamins and Minerals – Basil is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, which benefit bone health, immune function, and protection against chronic diseases and blood clotting; it’s also a good source of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium, which can further support various bodily functions. Basil contains essential oils like linalool, eugenol, and citronellol, which fight inflammation and help lower blood pressure.
- Beneficial Balsamic – Balsamic vinegar is a delicious and easy way to add additional health perks to many dishes. It contains antioxidants that help block cells that raise cholesterol and antimicrobial compounds that benefit our skin. Balsamic aids digestion and helps stabilize blood pressure. It also contains estrone glucoside, which improves blood flow and decreases the chance of stroke and heart disease.
What You’ll Need For This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pasta – You can use any type of pasta you have on hand. Even Spaghetti will work.
- Tomato – I used cherry tomatoes because they’re sweet and bite-sized, but you could also dice up a regular tomato.
- Basil – Fresh basil is super important in this recipe and gives it great flavor.
- Garlic – Again, fresh garlic is important here; try to avoid using garlic powder.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Make sure you use the actual vinegar, not the vinaigrette.
- Parmesan Cheese – The parmesan is optional in this recipe, but I love how it mixes with the sauce and coats the noodles. You can also use vegan parmesan cheese.
How To Make This Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
This pasta salad is easy to make and can last in the refrigerator for about 3 days. It is best served at room temperature, making it the perfect summer BBQ or potluck recipe.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a pinch of salt to a large bowl and mix until combined. Set aside and mix every few minutes while you’re cooking the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and then run under cold water for about 30 seconds.
- Add the pasta to the bowl of bruschetta and mix until combined. Next, add the parmesan cheese and mix again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Have a question about this recipe? Ask me in the comments, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Looking For More Vegetarian Pasta Salads?
Fall Pasta Salad with Butternut Squash
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Bruschetta Pasta Salad with Parmesan
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Bruschetta Pasta Salad is so easy to make and perfect for summer!
Ingredients
- 6 ounces dried pasta, your favorite kind
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, diced in half
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add the cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt to a large bowl and mix until combined. Set aside and mix every few minutes while you’re cooking the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and then run under cold water for about 30 seconds.
- Add the pasta to the bowl of bruschetta and mix until combined. Next, add the parmesan cheese and mix again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Pasta salad is best served at room temperature or chilled. It wills tay good in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Italian
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