For over 8 years, I was a pescatarian - and honestly? I never felt deprived for a single second. When you're eating amazing, flavorful food like this Bruschetta Pasta Salad, there's nothing to miss. Fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and tender bow tie pasta all coming together in one bowl? That's not deprivation. That's scrumptious!

This recipe was a staple during my pescatarian years and it's never left my rotation. It's the kind of dish that shows up at every summer cookout, every potluck table, and every weeknight when you want something fresh without spending an hour in the kitchen. All the classic bruschetta flavors you love - no crostini required.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It comes together in about 20 minutes with simple, affordable ingredients
• No oven required - perfect for hot summer days
• It's vegetarian-friendly and crowd-pleasing
• The flavors get even better after a chill in the fridge
• It feeds 8 to 12 people without breaking the bank

Ingredients

• 8 oz bow tie pasta, cooked
• 3 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped (about ¼ cup)
• 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Tools You'll Need

• Large pot
• Colander
• Cutting board and knife
• Large mixing bowl
• Large spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

Dice the roma tomatoes and chop the fresh basil.

Add the tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and oregano to a large bowl. Stir to combine and let the mixture chill in the fridge for about 10 minutes while you cook the pasta.

Cook the bow tie pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions until tender. Drain into a colander and run under cold water for a few minutes until the noodles are fully chilled.

Add the chilled pasta to the bowl with the tomato mixture. Add the shredded parmesan, salt, and pepper, then toss everything together until well combined.

Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes for even better flavor.

Tara's Tips

• Buffalo mozzarella upgrade: Want to take this to the next level? Toss in some cubed fresh buffalo mozzarella right before serving. It turns this simple pasta salad into something that feels really special - and it's a nod to the classic Caprese flavors that pair so naturally with bruschetta. 🧀
• Let the tomato mixture marinate: Don't skip that 10-minute chill for the tomato mixture. That's where all the flavor magic happens.
• Fresh basil is non-negotiable: Dried basil just won't give you the same bright, fresh flavor here. Stick with fresh if at all possible.
• Make it ahead: This salad is even better the next day. Make it the night before your cookout and just give it a good toss before serving.
• Salt your pasta water: A well-salted pot of water makes a noticeable difference in the flavor of the finished dish.

Yield: 10

Bruschetta Pasta Salad

Print

Tender bow tie pasta is tossed with juicy roma tomatoes, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic for that perfect bruschetta flavor you love - no crostini required. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 oz bow tie noodles, cooked
• 3 roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped (about ¼ cup)
• 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Dice the tomatoes and chop the basil.
2. Add the tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and oregano to a bowl. Stir and chill for 10 minutes.
3. Add the pasta to a pot of boiling water, cook according to the package until the noodles are tender. Drain into a colander and run under cold water for a few minutes until noodles are chilled.
4. Add the noodles, parmesan and salt/pepper to the bowl and toss to combine. Serve or cover and chill for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 83Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 107mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

Serving Ideas

This Bruschetta Pasta Salad is a natural fit alongside anything coming off the grill - burgers, grilled fish, chicken skewers, or veggie kebabs. It also works beautifully as part of a potluck spread next to dishes like Cobb Pasta Salad and Cowboy Pasta Salad. Keep it chilled until serving and give it a quick toss to refresh the flavors.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving and add a tiny splash of balsamic vinegar and olive oil if it looks like it needs a little refresh.

There's a reason this recipe survived my entire pescatarian era and made it all the way to my permanent rotation. It's fresh, it's simple, it's budget-friendly, and it never fails to make people happy. Sometimes the best food really is the simplest food - and this Bruschetta Pasta Salad is proof of that every single time.