Tomato Basil Pasta Salad is a simple side dish with penne pasta, tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella with a delicious balsamic vinegar dressing. This pasta salad is perfect to serve for a simple dinner or delicious side at a potluck party.
Looking for other delicious salad recipes? Check out my recipes for Greek Garden Salad and Summer Fruit Salad.
There are so many pasta salad recipes out there, how do you choose the perfect one?! This pasta salad is not your average recipe. This simple recipe only takes a few ingredients and comes together super quick. The dressing is easy to make and could also be used on a green salad if you have any left over from making this salad.
Tomato Basil Pasta Salad Ingredients
These are the simple ingredients for the pasta salad portion of this recipe:
- penne pasta
- grape or cherry tomatoes
- mozzarella pearls
- fresh basil leaves
Balsamic Salad Dressing
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- garlic
- salt
- pepper
Instructions to make Pasta Salad
To make this simple pasta salad, start by cooking the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, slice the tomatoes in half, slice the basil into small pieces. You can easily slice basil by piling up the basil leaves, rolling them together and then slicing into small strips.
When the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool off the noodles. Place the pasta in a large salad bowl, add in the tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. Toss to combine.
To make the balsamic dressing combine all of the ingredients in a bowl to mix or you can place in a jar with a lid and shake to combine. Stir or shake the dressing for 2-3 minutes until it emulsifies, or thickens. You will see a definite change in the consistency.
Pour half of the dressing over the pasta salad ingredients and stir to coat. Add additional dressing a little at a time until everything is covered in dressing.
Serve immediately, or place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Tomato Basil Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 18 oz grape tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Balsamic Dressing Ingredients
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tsp garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking prepare tomatoes and basil.
- Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to cool down pasta. Toss pasta, tomatoes, basil and mozzarella
- For the balsamic dressing, combine all of the ingredients and stir or shake in a jar with a lid for 2-3 minutes until combine and thickened.
- Pour half of dressing over pasta salad and toss to coat. Add more dressing as needed until pasta is well covered.
Notes
Nutrition
Perfect for your next potluck party this Tomato Basil Pasta Salad is a simple side dish with penne pasta, tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella with a delicious balsamic vinegar dressing.
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