This Bruschetta Pasta Salad is a perfect summer side dish. Loaded with tomatoes, basil, parmesan cheese and noodles this salad is a must make dish!
Is there even a better foodie match than tomatoes with basil and garlic and cheese?! Now let’s add some noodles and you have a Bruschetta Pasta Salad. Oh yes…think about that for a second. You want to make it don’t you? Picture yourself on a sunny summer deck, with a glass of wine (or sparkler) in hand…you’re sitting down to a delicious summer meal and this salad is on the menu. Ahhhh, so good.
Bruschetta + pasta = delicious.
I love this flavour combination so much that I dedicate 2 big pots in my garden to growing tomatoes and basil. These two plants are a match made in heaven, even in the garden…they’re perfect companion plants that help each other grow. When I plant them side by side I get the best basil in the world! And that means plenty of bruschetta, bruschetta sheet pan chicken, goat cheese tarts, Caprese salad, and this Bruschetta Pasta Salad. Hello summer.
Simple, Fresh and Delicious
So let’s get back to this pasta dish, shall we? This dish is fresh and very easy to put together. For this pasta salad the noodles, tomatoes and basil are tossed with olive oil, a little balsamic vinegar, some parmesan cheese, then seasoned with salt and pepper. And you can use any kind of noodles that you like for this dish, I just happened to have some orecchiette noodles around so I used them. I liked how the shape of the noodle held the bruschetta so you had a mouthful of flavour in each bite. So good!
Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe Tips:
- Tomatoes: Use the most fresh and flavourful tomatoes you can find for this salad! Vine ripened and grape tomatoes are especially delicious.
- Pasta: You can use any kind of pasta that you like. For this particular recipe I used orecchiette noodles which were great because they’re almost like a little cup that holds the bruschetta. Spiral noodles, bows and penne are also good. Some people have used ravioli and tortellini noodles which would be delicious!
- Basil: Fresh basil is the only way to go for this salad, it’s the most flavourful!
- Parmesan: All kinds of parmesan work in this recipe, but freshly grated is the BEST!
- Options: Fresh Bocconcini cheese would make a delicious addition to this salad.
- Can I make this ahead of time? This pasta salad is really best enjoyed within a few hours of making it because the noodles tend to soak up all the dressing. If you want to make it ahead of time, I would suggest making a little extra dressing to toss in right before you serve it.
- Meal Suggestions: This Bruschetta Pasta Salad would be delicious served with Bruschetta Sheet Pan Chicken, or roasted or grilled chicken and burgers.
- Tip! Oh, and you’re gonna need a mint…trust me on this one. 😉
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
This Bruschetta Pasta Salad is a perfect summer side dish. Loaded with tomatoes, basil, parmesan cheese and noodles this salad is a must make dish!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked pasta
- 5 tomatoes, chopped (I use vine ripened because they have the most flavour!)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 tbsp red onion, chopped finely
- 1 – 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bunch fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 – 4 tsp balsamic vinegar (to your taste)
- 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese.
- Let this mixture rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Then toss the tomato mixture with the cooked noodles.
- Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.
- You can serve and enjoy this recipe right away, or let it rest for up to an hour before enjoying!
Keywords: pasta salad, bruschetta pasta salad
Thank you for PINNING!
Looking for more Pasta Salads? Here are some great ones!
Grilled Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Chilled Noodle Salad with Ginger Wasabi Dressing
Summer Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing
Have a delicious day!
58 Comments
Kathy
May 18, 2015 at 1:40 PMMade this today and I am praising you left and right. So delicious. I used cherry tomatoes fresh from the Farmer’s Market, my own fresh basil and added cubed mozzarella, Also, used “lemon” balsamic by mistake but WOW! Thank you for sharing.
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 27, 2015 at 2:11 PMI’m so happy you liked this salad Kathy! The addition of the lemon balsamic sounds fantastic!
Jerusha (@TheDisneyChef)
May 18, 2015 at 7:18 PMI’m in love with this idea! I know you said at the end you’d need a mint, but honestly, it inspired me to try and add mint to this. I bet it would taste amazing!
Bonnie Lyn Smith
May 21, 2015 at 12:22 PMPinned! I love everything about this! Never occurred to me to add pasta to my favorite salad! Awesomeness! Coming to you from “Espressos of Faith” via #CoffeeandConversation!
Evija
May 22, 2015 at 3:26 AMThank you for joining our Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party.. This looks delicious, cant wait to try it myself, thank you for sharing! Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove
Hannah @ eat, drink and save money
May 22, 2015 at 12:22 PMThis looks so good!
Thanks for linking up with Share the Wealth Sunday.
Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden
May 22, 2015 at 5:05 PMI can’t wait to try this…the tomatoes, basil, everything sounds so good together. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
Shellie Bowdoin
May 23, 2015 at 1:09 AMThese fresh ingredients are bound to sing against the pasta! Thanks for joining us on Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Linda Kilsdonk
May 23, 2015 at 2:50 PMThis looks like an absolutely perfect summer salad. I love anything with fresh off-the-vine tomatoes, and this sounds delicious! Pinned it to give it a try! Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 27, 2015 at 2:08 PMI hope you enjoy it Linda!
Jennifer Tammy
May 24, 2015 at 10:16 AMWow – that sounds AMAZING. I’m also now curious about a lemon balsamic or adding fresh mint — I’ll let you know if I try that variation!
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 27, 2015 at 2:00 PMOh the fresh mint is such a good idea – sounds delicious!
Katherines Corner
May 24, 2015 at 3:45 PMthis looks perfect! Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Tuesday xo
Karly
May 24, 2015 at 6:19 PMThis sounds over the top amazing! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Kathryn Griffin @TheDedicatedHouse
May 25, 2015 at 10:41 AMOh, goodness! This looks and sounds so good! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s bash! http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/05/make-it-pretty-monday-week-136.html Hope to see you again at the party! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 27, 2015 at 1:59 PMThank you so much Kathryn!
Nettie Moore
May 26, 2015 at 8:45 PMCongratulations! Your bruschetta pasta salad has been featured at our Simple Supper Party! Nettie LINK: http://mooreorlesscooking.com/2015/05/25/simple-supper-tuesday-linky-party-63/
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 27, 2015 at 1:57 PMThank you Nettie!
Nicole from Flavors by Four
May 27, 2015 at 4:46 AMJust stopping by to let you know that we’ve picked this recipe to feature at today’s Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!! Come on over and check it out 🙂
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 27, 2015 at 1:57 PMThank you so much Nicole!
Kristin
May 28, 2015 at 7:14 AMOh my!! This looks awesome!! Can’t wait to try this out at the next cookout!!
Made From Pinterest
May 28, 2015 at 10:18 PMYum! This looks delicious! Thanks so much for posting this. I am going to make it as soon as possible. Keep posting awesome recipes like this I am way excited to see what is to come!
Pam @ The Birch Cottage
May 29, 2015 at 11:15 PMThis recipe looks simple, fresh and yummy. Thanks for sharing!
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
June 1, 2015 at 8:43 PMThank you Pam!
Denise
July 1, 2015 at 8:48 AMI’m going to try this for a 4th of July picnic and add some black olives….how many servings is this recipe? This looks amazing!!!
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
July 1, 2015 at 2:56 PMOh this is perfect for picnics! This easily serves 6 – 8 people! Happy July 4th do you!
Chels Bull
July 15, 2015 at 7:37 AMDo you think I could make this a day in advance for a party? Would refrigeration kill the tomato flavor? Thanks!
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
July 20, 2015 at 9:01 PMHi Chels! I’m so sorry I missed your question! I think I’m probably too late, but I did find that the salad was best made the day of, but it was good the next day as well – just not as sharp in flavour!
Debbie
November 16, 2015 at 6:47 PMThis sounds so good. Is it possible to make this the night before and add the mixture the next day? I don’t have time the morning before.
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
November 16, 2015 at 7:48 PMIt’s great as leftovers, so I think it would be fine!
Billy
January 10, 2016 at 8:19 AMhow much does this serve?
Liz
January 24, 2016 at 10:48 AMNice salad – thank you.
Monique
April 5, 2016 at 12:45 AMI would like to make this for a party I’m hosting. How much do you think I need for 40 people?
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
April 5, 2016 at 8:04 PMHi Monique! I’m not 100% sure, but I would at least triple the recipe for that many people.
Virginia
April 30, 2016 at 1:45 PMHow many does this serve?
Paul Ferrante
May 14, 2016 at 4:12 PMSounds great. I haven’t made it yet but have a question, when you say 2 green onions, do you mean scallions? Because 2 raw onions for 3 cups of pasta sounds like a lot to me.
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
May 15, 2016 at 9:37 PMHi Paul! Yes, I am referring to scallions not sweet or yellow/white onions!
Chrisie
June 7, 2016 at 9:11 AMAs an Italian, you must put fresh mozzarella otherwise known as Bocconcini into this recipe. It makes the whole thing.
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
June 7, 2016 at 2:29 PMBocconcini would be a wonderful addition!
Shirley
July 16, 2016 at 2:18 PMI made this yesterday and paired it with grilled chicken legs and thighs. Absolutely wonderful!! I’ll be making this time and time again. Oh and today we ate the leftovers for lunch!!! Thanks so much for this one!!!
Shanda
February 12, 2017 at 1:28 PMHello,
I am allergic to Balsamic vinegar. The only kind of vinegar I can have is regular white. Can I substitute that or is there something else you recommend?
LETIZIA TRIPP
July 5, 2017 at 9:39 PMhi , I have tried soo many pasta salads and just cant find one I like . this sounds delicious . I am Italian and I also think I would add fresh mozzarella and the shredded parmesan too . pinned it . I am definatelly going to try this .
thank you for sharing
Amy Thompson
July 11, 2017 at 7:39 AMI made this the other night it turned out great! My husband and I took leftovers to work for lunch the next day and it was still delicious. I used big bow tie noodles and I think next time small shells would be better. Thanks for the recipe!
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
July 14, 2017 at 2:31 PMI’m so glad you liked it! It’s a favourite of ours as well!
Taminara
August 18, 2017 at 3:58 PMWhen your pasta salads got “pretested” in bowls by the kids before going to a pot luck..you hit jackppt! Thank you
Jo-Anna@APrettyLife
August 20, 2017 at 9:57 PMOh I love that!!
Kim
June 24, 2019 at 1:23 PMFabulous!! I can see myself making this over and over.
★★★★★
Jo-Anna Rooney
June 25, 2019 at 8:52 AMI’m so happy you enjoyed it Kim! It’s perfect for summer!
Sharon
July 21, 2018 at 10:39 AMMade this for a pot luck at church & have to let you know that it was raved about by so many people!! Thanks for sharing the recipe! My husband keeps asking me to make it again so am doing that today.
Jess
April 9, 2019 at 7:17 PMI don’t like to repeat recipes often, but I’ve been having this meal 2-3 times a month for probably a year! I’ve been making this with cheese tortellini or ravioli to bulk up the pasta part. Sooo good!
★★★★★
Jo-Anna Rooney
April 11, 2019 at 9:07 AMI’m so glad you like it Jess! And great idea to use cheese tortellini…I’m totally going to try this!
Christina Estrada
May 25, 2020 at 10:31 AMEvery time I make this I get the best compliments! Thank you for your delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Jo-Anna Rooney
May 25, 2020 at 5:00 PMOh I love that!! I’m so glad you enjoy it!
Diane
August 29, 2020 at 11:04 AMI LOVE this Jo-Anna! Beautiful light summer recipe…the key of course is to get the best, flavorful tomatoes. I saw this recipe and went to my Publix and was lucky to find amazing vine-ripened tomatoes (not always available in FL, I’m spoiled from my up north tomatoes). I didn’t really measure much, I did use the recipe amount of tomatoes and pasta…the rest I just put in the amount I wanted (more cheese, gr onions & a tad more oil & vinegar). Please use a block of real parmesan and shred, real garlic (not in jar)…everything fresh is so much better. It’s delicious, I’m taking to a picnic but am trying a little plate of it before I go! Thank you for the recipe!
★★★★★
Jo-Anna Rooney
August 31, 2020 at 10:16 AMI’m so happy you enjoyed this Diane! And you’re absolutely right, you have to use the best, most flavourful tomatoes you can find!
Kate Kennedy
November 20, 2020 at 7:43 AMWould this sit okay overnight? Thinking of bringing it for a work pot luck. Or what do you recommend waiting to mix till it’s time?
Jo-Anna Rooney
November 20, 2020 at 3:37 PMHi Kate! This salad really is best served within a couple hours of making it. So if you can, make it in the morning to serve at lunch. To speed things up, you could always cook the noodles the night before and have everything ready to be mixed together in the morning. Hope that helps!
Jo-Anna
Kate Kennedy
November 23, 2020 at 7:46 AMThank you! Unfortunately I’d have to wake up at like 5 to make it so I will leave all the ingredients separate and combine at then end. How do you recommend making sure the pasta doesn’t stick together while I wait to combine ingredients?