Description
Bruschetta Pasta Salad combines cherry tomatoes, garlic, lemon, basil, olive oil, and pasta for a fresh 20-minute summer recipe that works as a light main course or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound whole wheat pasta shells or orecchiette
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced or torn
- 4 to 6 garlic cloves, grated into a paste
- 2 lemons, juiced
- Zest of 1 lemon, optional
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to a large bowl with the grated garlic, lemon juice, optional lemon zest, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir well and let the tomatoes marinate at room temperature while you cook the pasta.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season it generously with coarse salt.
- Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package directions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it well under cold water to stop the cooking.
- Shake off excess water, then transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the marinated tomatoes and all their juices to the pasta.
- Toss well until the pasta looks evenly coated.
- Stir in the fresh basil.
- Taste and adjust with more lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, or red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
- Use ripe cherry tomatoes for the sweetest flavor and juiciest dressing.
- Grate the garlic into a paste so it blends smoothly into the lemon olive oil dressing.
- Salt the pasta water generously so the pasta tastes seasoned before tossing.
- Add basil at the end so it stays fresh and green.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Refresh leftovers with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 374
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 18
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 13
- Cholesterol: 0