I make this bruschetta recipe when tomatoes shine and basil smells bold. We toss warm pasta with juicy halves of cherry tomatoes. Fresh basil lands in the bowl. Olive oil and red wine vinegar meet garlic and wake the mix. Creamy mozzarella cools it. Crunchy sourdough crumbs bring the toast note we all crave. I keep the mood light and simple. I want the best bruschetta recipe that fits a busy day. I reach for a simple bruschetta recipe that uses pantry gear and one pot for pasta. I lean into a fresh bruschetta recipe with bright acid and sweet tomato. Friends ask for seconds and I smile. I taste and adjust with salt and a soft grind of pepper. I play with ideas. I tried a mushroom bruschetta recipe with sautéed cremini and it worked. I tried a bruschetta recipe mozzarella twist with small bocconcini and it stuck. On a sunny day I even serve a caprese bruschetta recipe theme with extra basil leaves. You cook the pasta. You toss the bowl. We eat while it is cool and the herbs still sing.

Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
- 3 Ingredients for Bruschetta Pasta Salad
- 4 How to Make Bruschetta Pasta Salad
- 5 Tips for Making Bruschetta Pasta Salad
- 6 Making Bruschetta Pasta Salad Ahead of Time
- 7 Storing Leftover Pasta Salad
- 8 Try these salads next
- 9 Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
- 10 Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
I keep this salad fast and bright. Ripe tomatoes burst. Basil smells bold. Garlic wakes the bowl. We mix and taste. We smile. A calm kitchen wins.
Warm pasta meets cool mozzarella. The dressing stays simple with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Crunchy crumbs give the toast note that a bruschetta recipe loves.
Make it tonight or chill it for lunch. The texture holds. The flavor grows. Nancy from Nancy Cooks brings a steady plan that anyone can follow.

2) Easy Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe
I lean on this bruschetta recipe when the market shines. I reach for the same bruschetta recipe when friends stop by. Tomatoes sit sweet. Basil cuts through. The bowl looks like summer.
I toss al dente pasta with juicy halves of cherry tomatoes. I fold in small pearls of mozzarella. A quick stir of olive oil and vinegar coats each bite. The taste lands clean and fresh tomato basil pasta salad feels right.
I keep the mood light. We plate and eat on the patio. If I crave a twist I try a classic bruschetta recipe idea with extra garlic or an easy summer bruschetta pasta salad path with more basil leaves.

3) Ingredients for Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Small pasta shape I like bowties penne or shells for grip and soft chew that holds dressing
Cherry tomatoes Choose ripe fruit that feels firm and tastes sweet for the best bite
Mini mozzarella balls Halve the pearls so the milky center mixes through the pasta
Fresh basil Stack leaves and slice thin for aroma that lifts every forkful
Shallot A small amount adds gentle bite without harsh heat
Garlic Mince fine so it blooms in oil and kisses the tomatoes
Extra virgin olive oil A smooth base that carries flavor from bowl to bite
Red wine vinegar A bright snap that balances the sweet fruit and rich cheese
Salt and black pepper Season in small steps and taste as you go
Sourdough breadcrumbs optional Toasted crumbs bring a toast like crunch for a tomato basil bruschetta recipe feel

4) How to Make Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Step 1 Boil pasta in well salted water until al dente then drain and cool to room temp
Step 2 Add tomatoes basil shallot and garlic to a wide bowl so the juices mix
Step 3 Fold in the cooled pasta and the mozzarella so the pearls stay whole
Step 4 Whisk olive oil with red wine vinegar then pour over the bowl and toss until glossy
Step 5 Season with salt and black pepper then taste and adjust for acid or salt
Step 6 Toast sourdough crumbs in a pan until golden then cool and scatter over the salad
5) Tips for Making Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Use ripe tomatoes for sweetness and juice. If flavor feels flat add a splash of vinegar. The dressing needs that snap.
Chill the pasta just a bit so heat does not melt the cheese. The goal is bouncy noodles with cool centers of mozzarella.
Toast the crumbs right before serving. The crunch suggests the toast from a mushroom bruschetta recipe and keeps each bite lively.
6) Making Bruschetta Pasta Salad Ahead of Time
I dress the salad with half the vinaigrette for storage. The pasta soaks some flavor without turning soggy. The rest waits in a jar.
Before serving I add the remaining dressing and toss again. Fresh basil joins the bowl last so the color stays bright.
Keep the crumbs in a sealed container on the counter. Scatter them at the table. This move keeps a caprese bruschetta recipe style crunch alive.
7) Storing Leftover Pasta Salad
Store leftovers in a tight container in the fridge for two days. The flavor deepens by day two and the tomatoes release a light sauce.
Before serving again add a spoon of oil and a pinch of salt. Toss and taste. The balance returns and the herbs wake up.
If you plan lunch for work pack crumbs and basil on the side. Mix just before you eat for best texture and aroma.
8) Try these salads next
9) Bruschetta Pasta Salad Recipe

Bruschetta Recipe Pasta Salad with Fresh Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 cups small pasta shape dry such as bowties or penne
- 24 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
- 6 ounces mini bocconcini mozzarella balls halved
- 1 ounce fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/2 small shallot chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Dressing
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
For the Breadcrumbs Optional
- 2 large slices sourdough bread torn
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
For the Salad
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente then drain and rinse under cool water.
- Place tomatoes basil shallot and garlic in a large bowl.
- Add cooled pasta and mozzarella.
For the Dressing
- Whisk olive oil and red wine vinegar in a cup.
- Pour over the salad and toss until glossy.
- Season with salt and pepper and taste again.
For the Breadcrumbs Optional
- Pulse torn sourdough into coarse crumbs.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet and toast crumbs with garlic powder and a pinch of salt until golden then cool.
- Scatter crumbs over the salad just before serving for crunch.
10) Nutrition
Serving size one cup
Calories 460 Protein 18 g Carbohydrates 60 g Fiber 4 g
Fat 18 g Saturated fat 7 g Sodium 520 mg Sugar 8 g Values are estimates
Written by Nancy for Nancy Cooks






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