Tomato and Basil Pasta Salad (Spring Meals)

Fresh Tomato and Basil Pasta Salad is a perfect spring or summer light meal or side dish to bring to a backyard BBQ or potluck.  The recipe serves four but can be doubled to make a larger batch.  I use a ton of garlic, I LOVE garlic.  The grated Parmesan or Romano cheese finishes it off nicely.

The recipe calls for Penne Rigate, it the one with the groves on it.  I prefer the Rigate pasta since the marinade grabs to the pasta better.  

Ingredients

What you need:

grape tomatoes
garlic
salt
balsamic vinegar
extra virgin olive oil
sugar
red pepper flakes
fresh basil leaves
dried penne rigate
Parmesan or Romano cheese

Easy Instructions

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine everything but the basil leaves and penne. Set aside 30 minutes so the tomatoes have time to marinate.
• Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain (don’t rinse) and add the cooked Penne to the tomato mixture.
• Add the basil.
• Toss the Penne until well mixed.
• Top with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.
• Serve at room temperature.

Now that’s easy and it tastes even better the next day!

Continue to Content

Fresh Tomato and Basil Pasta Salad Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Marinate Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Perfect for a summertime light lunch. Taste great chilled or at room temperature.

Print

Ingredients

• 18-20 grape tomato's, cut in half
• 2 cloves garlic, pushed through a press
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or ripped
• 2 cups dried penne rigate
• Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

Instructions

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine everything but the basil leaves and penne. Set aside 30 minutes so the tomatoes have time to marinate.
• Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain (don't rinse) and add the cooked Penne to the tomato mixture.
• Add the basil.
• Toss the Penne until well mixed.
• Top with grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.
• Serve at room temperature.

Notes

The prep time includes time needed to cook the Penne pasta.

Can also be made with thick spaghetti.

The longer the tomatoes marinate the more deep the flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 173Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 191mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 7g

The nutritional information provided here are estimates and are not calculated by a registered dietitian.