This Bruschetta Pasta Salad features juicy, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, minced garlic, bite-sized mozzarella balls, and shaved parmesan, all mixed with tender pasta and drizzled with a rich balsamic glaze.
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Welcome the arrival of summer with this light and refreshing Bruschetta Pasta Salad! Taking classic bruschetta ingredients and mixing them into a pasta salad, this dish brings a new form to a renowned traditional recipe. The combination of bright, juicy tomatoes, fresh herbs, soft mozzarella, pasta noodles and rich balsamic glaze is perfectly fresh and delightfully flavorful, and it all comes together in just 30 minutes!
Every bite is filled with amazing ingredients that blend together flawlessly and melt in your mouth. Serve this cold bruschetta pasta salad alongside grilled chicken, lemon basil shrimp or even a seven layer salad and you’ve got a delicious summer barbecue on your hands. This delicious pasta salad is a must-make dish and is sure to become your next summer staple!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh and light - Summer is the perfect season for fresh, healthy meals, and this bruschetta pasta salad is just that and more! The ingredients are refreshing and create a dish that serves as a lively addition to any summertime barbecue or family get-together.
- Quick and simple - This recipe is very simple to make and takes around only 30 minutes to prepare, making it a great option for when you're in a time crunch.
- Bruschetta in pasta salad form - This dish allows you to enjoy all the amazing flavors of traditional bruschetta in a new, unique way that can be enjoyed over several days.
- Visually appealing - The bright colors of the red tomatoes mixed with the fresh green basil and white mozzarella create a very visually appealing dish that will look great on your summertime meal spread!
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Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below for this light and fresh bruschetta pasta salad recipe!
- Tomatoes - In their peak freshness during summer, making them the perfect, juicy addition to the pasta salad.
- Fresh basil - Adds a refreshing, bright flavor to the pasta salad that is slightly sweet and aromatic.
- Garlic cloves - Fresh garlic enhances the overall taste of the dish and gives the pasta salad a delightful aroma.
- Balsamic glaze - Is tangy, rich, and sweet, and perfectly ties together and balances out every other ingredient in this dish.
- Mozzarella balls - Add a creamy and soft texture to the pasta salad that is satisfying and flavorful.
- Parmesan cheese - Brings a slight sharpness to the dish that works excellently among the other ingredients to merge the differing flavors together.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- To add some protein, you can add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the pasta salad.
- Other types of pasta that will work well with this pasta salad include mafaldini, bowtie, cavatappi, penne, and rigatoni.
- For some crunch, you can add homemade bread crumbs or croutons.
- Instead of using whole tomatoes, you can also use cherry tomatoes. You can also use multiple colors of cherry tomatoes to add more color and visual appeal to the dish.
- Small pieces of sliced mozzarella can be used in place of mozzarella balls in this recipe.
How to Make Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, prepare the spaghetti to al dente according to package directions, then follow the steps below for a must-make, summer pasta salad dish!
- Step 1: Place tomatoes, onions, basil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large mixing bowl.
- Step 2: Stir to combine and then allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Add balsamic glaze and mozzarella balls to the marinated bruschetta.
- Step 4: Add bruschetta mixture to pasta. Top with parmesan cheese and additional basil, if desired.
Helpful Tips
- If you are making this dish ahead of time, add ingredients such as basil or croutons right before serving, as the basil can wilt and the croutons can lose their crunch.
- If you are storing leftovers of this recipe in the refrigerator, add a little extra balsamic glaze and fresh basil before serving to freshen it up.
- When it comes to ingredients, fresh is always the best! Using ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and minced garlic will ensure that your pasta salad tastes the most flavorful and rich!
- You can serve this pasta salad in individual cups or in a larger platter with garnish for extra visual appeal.
Recipe FAQs
If your pasta is sticking together, you can add some olive oil after it is done cooking and then rinse the pasta with cold water. Adding this additional step can help the pasta to mix better with the other ingredients and keep it separated.
Yes, you can make the pasta salad a few hours ahead of time. For the best results, add the fresh basil and drizzle the balsamic glaze just before serving to keep the flavors vibrant.
If you can't find store-bought balsamic glaze, you can make your own. Simmer balsamic vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat until it reduces by half and thickens to a syrup-like consistency. Allow it to cool before drizzling over the salad.
Feel free to add other ingredients like cucumber, olives, or grilled chicken to enhance the flavor and add some protein.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
To store, place the bruschetta pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Add extra balsamic glaze or garnish before serving.
Freezing Instructions
It is not recommended to freeze bruschetta pasta salad, as the pasta can get mushy after thawing and the texture of the fresh vegetables and other ingredients can change.
More Summer Salad Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other salad recipes like this one? Try these:
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 4 large ripe tomatoes (diced)
- ½ red onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoons diced fresh basil (plus more for garnish)
- 2 garlic cloves (minces)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 5 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 1 cup mozzarella balls
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare spaghetti to al dente according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, put tomatoes, onions, basil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine and then allow to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Drain pasta. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and transfer to a large serving bowl.
- Add balsamic glaze and mozzarella balls to marinated bruschetta.
- Add bruschetta mixture to pasta. Toss everything together.
- Top with extra balsamic glaze, parmesan cheese and additional basil, if desired.
Notes
- If you are making this dish ahead of time, add ingredients such as basil or croutons right before serving, as the basil can wilt and the croutons can lose their crunch.
- If you are storing leftovers of this recipe in the refrigerator, add a little extra balsamic dressing and fresh basil before serving to freshen it up.
- When it comes to ingredients, fresh is always the best! Using ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and minced garlic will ensure that your pasta salad tastes the most flavorful and rich!
- You can serve this pasta salad in individual cups or in a larger platter with garnish for extra visual appeal.
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