Balsamic Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad (Easy Bow Tie Pasta Salad)

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This Balsamic Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad is bursting with fresh flavor— an incredibly simple pasta salad recipe that combines the summer flavors of juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, creamy mozzarella, and a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It's a crowd pleaser and so easy to toss together in minutes! You will love this slightly sweet balsamic salad for a light lunch, side dish, or to share at a summer picnic or while camping.

A bit of Story & Inspiration

This pasta salad with cherry tomatoes is perfect to make as a summer appetizer because all of the fresh ingredients are more readily available and easy to find during this time of year. It feels like sunshine in a bowl! Inspired by the flavors of a Caprese salad, but a little more picnic-friendly, this version is made with hearty bow tie pasta that holds up well to travel and makes a satisfying meal on its own.

why You’ll Love This Balsamic Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad

This salad is absolutely delicious. I love the sweet notes from the balsamic dressing and how the flaky sea salt and freshly cracked pepper taste on the fresh mozzarella pearls. It’s one of my favorite side dishes or lunches for serving in the summer when I need something filling and easy to put together!

• Great Vegetarian Dish. If you are looking for a filling and delicious dish that’s vegetarian, you will love this pasta salad! It’s incredibly hearty and great for a side dish or even as a main.

• Easy to Make. I love the simple ease of this recipe! There’s hardly any chopping and it comes together in about 15 to 20 minutes.

• Prep Ahead of Time. You can easily make this pasta salad ahead of time if you want to serve it at a party or take with to a summer barbecue. In fact, it tastes better the longer that it sits, so I would suggest making it at leat 12 to 24 hours in advance of serving it!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Balsamic Dressing. To make the balsamic dressing for this pasta salad, you will need olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.

• Bow Tie Pasta. I think that this salad looks so pretty with bow tie or farfalle pasta, but any short cut pasta will work. Try using fusilli, cavatappi, or penne for a similar feel to farfalle!

• Cherry Tomatoes. I think round cherry tomatoes look best in this dish vs grape tomatoes. Make sure that your tomatoes are not over ripe to avoid the salad becoming too juicy and soggy.

• Mozzarella Pearls. Mozzarella pearls are excellent for this recipe because it keeps the salad looking uniform!

• Basil. Use fresh basil for the pasta salad to brighten the flavor and add some beautiful color to the final salad.

• Flaky Sea Salt. Flaky sea salt really adds some delicious flavor to this salad and a slight crunch. This is my favorite brand of flaky sea salt.

• Freshly Cracked Pepper. Freshly cracked pepper tastes so fresh and delicious on this salad!

• Balsamic Reduction. For some added sweetness and syrupy texture, balsamic reduction adds some incredible flavor to this pasta salad.

How to Make balsamic Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad

• Cook pasta and let cool

• Make balsamic vinaigrette dressing

• Combine ingredients

• Toss with dressing and chill

• Serve cold

Step One: Before you begin making your salad, you will need to first cook and chill the pasta. Begin by cooking the bow tie pasta according to the directions of your particular brand until al dente, usually 10 minutes.

Step Two: Drain the pasta and place into a large bowl. Toss the pasta with as much as 1 teaspoon of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until chilled, about 1 to 2 hours.

Step Three: Next, make the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk until all of the ingredients are well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Set this aside for now.

Step Four: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and chilled pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil. Toss gently to evenly distribute the ingredients, about 1 to 2 minutes. Pour the balsamic dressing over the salad and toss again to coat everything well, another minute. Season the salad with more flaky sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.

tips for Success

This summer pasta salad with balsamic dress, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil is really so easy to make. You can’t mess it up, but there are a few little tricks that can help make the final dish the best it can be.

• Undercook Your Pasta. To help prevent the salad from becoming soggy overtime as the pasta soaks in more liquid, slightly undercook your pasta or cook it al dente.

• Let the Salad Marinate. This pasta salad tastes better after it has sat for some time and the flavors have really marinated and blended together. I think it tastes the best after about 12 hours, or overnight!

• Keep the Pieces Uniform. For a beautiful presentation and easier easting experience, make sure to keep all of the components a uniform size. Using round cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls really helps the overall look of this salad.

Variations

• Swap the basil for mint or baby arugula

• Use sun-dried tomatoes for a more intense flavor

• Add roasted veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for added depth

• Make it a main dish by adding grilled chicken or chickpeas for a vegetarian option

Serving Suggestions

This cherry tomato pasta salad is perfect served cold or at room temperature. That makes it ideal as a make-ahead side salad for picnics, potlucks, and weekend camping trips. Pack it into jars for camping trips or serve alongside my Herb & Garlic Chex Mix, Lavender Almond Granola, or Campfire Grilled Pork & Summer Veggie Kabobs for a fully balanced meal.

Storage Instructions

• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

• Best served cold or room temperature

• Toss with a bit more olive oil before serving if it has dried out slightly

Tools You’ll Need

• Large cooking pot for pasta

• Colander

• Mixing bowl

• Sharp knife

• Cutting board

• Whisk or jar with lid (for vinaigrette)

• Storage containers for leftovers

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes— it actually tastes better after the flavors sit for at least 30 minutes to a few hours before serving.

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
Fresh basil is best for flavor and texture, but in a pinch, 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried basil can be used.

Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes. Feta or shaved parmesan cheese works great as substitutions.

Is this good for camping or travel?
Absolutely— it holds up well, doesn’t require heating, and travels beautifully in a cooler or sealed container.

final thoughts:

This beautiful summer side dish is so filling and delicious! It has easily become my new favorite recipe, I and have already made it three times this summer. It’s a great recipe for using up all of those ripe garden tomatoes, and if you grow cherry tomatoes, then you know there are a LOT to work with. I hope you enjoy this fresh pasta salad as your new favorite side dish, appetizer, or summer lunch.

xoxo Kayla

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Yield: 8

Author: Kayla Lobermeier

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Balsamic Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad

This incredibly simple pasta salad combines the flavors of juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh basil with creamy mozzarella. It's a crowd pleaser and so easy to toss together in minutes! You will love this slightly sweet balsamic salad for a light lunch, side dish, or to share at a summer potluck.

Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 30 MinTotal time: 1 H & 10 M

Ingredients

Balsamic Dressing:

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil or avocado oil
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp (4 g) fresh basil, minced
• 2 tbsp (4 g) fresh oregano, minced
• 1 tsp thyme leaves
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad:

• 1/2 lb (226 g) dry bow tie pasta
• 1 cup (164 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz (226 g) mozzarella pearls
• 1/4 cup (8 g) fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt, or to taste
• 1 tsp freshly cracked pepper, or to taste
• Balsamic reduction, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:

1. Before you begin making your salad, you will need to first cook and chill the pasta. Begin by cooking the bow tie pasta according to the directions of your particular brand until al dente, usually 10 minutes.
2. Drain the pasta and place into a large bowl. Toss the pasta with as much as 1 teaspoon of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until chilled, about 1 to 2 hours.

To make the Balsamic Dressing:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk until all of the ingredients are well combined, about 1 to 2 minutes. Set this aside for now.

To make the Tomato & Basil Pasta Salad:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked and chilled pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil. Toss gently to evenly distribute the ingredients, about 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Pour the balsamic dressing over the salad and toss again to coat everything well, another minute. Season the salad with more flaky sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste.
3. You can serve the salad immediately, or cover the bowl and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This salad tastes better after it has marinated for at least 30 minutes. It will store in the refrigerator for about 4 to 5 days.
4. Before serving, drizzle the salad with balsamic reduction to your taste.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

243

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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