Bruschetta Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Description
Bruschetta Pasta Salad features mafaldini pasta tossed with halved cherry tomatoes, diced white onion, and fresh basil wearing a balsamic-based dressing. The dressing is emulsified with garlic, Dijon mustard, sugar, dried oregano, and olive oil, bringing a balanced acidity and brightness to the salad. Parmesan shavings finish the dish with a mild umami richness. The salad is assembled by first marinating the tomato mixture, then combining with well-coated pasta and fresh basil, allowing flavors to meld.
The salad offers a mix of tender pasta strands and juicy tomato pieces with herbaceous accents. The balsamic dressing adds moisture and tang without overwhelming the components. It works well as a side dish or a light main course, especially in warmer weather or for potlucks.
This dish stores well in the refrigerator and benefits from sitting, which slightly softens the herbs but enhances overall flavor integration. Fresh basil can be added when serving to refresh the herbal notes and appearance.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta I used mafaldini from Trader Joe’s, short-cut
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes halved, or grape tomatoes
- ½ onion white; diced
- ½ cup basil fresh, chiffonade cut
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese shaved
balsamic dressing
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- salt kosher salt
- black pepper kosher salt
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to the directions.
- Combine the tomatoes with half of the basil, the onion and 3 tablespoons of the dressing. Let this sit until the pasta is done and everything is ready to combine.
- Drain the pasta and place it in a large bowl. Toss with half of the dressing - you want every noodle coated well. Add in the whole tomato basil mixture, tossing well to distribute. Add in the rest of the basil and the parmesan cheese. Add in the rest of the dressing and toss.
- Serve! This stays great in the fridge and gets better as it sits, aside from a few wilty herbs. Feel free to add fresh basil when serving!
balsamic dressing
- Whisk together the garlic, vinegar, sugar, mustard, oregano and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until the mixture is thickened and emulsified. This can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to use! Just whisk or shake before using.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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