Like I always say, the more bruschetta, the betta. And if you wish it came in a form you could actually make a meal out of, meet your new go-to: Bruschetta Pasta Salad. Trust me, it is di-vine! 

Two bowls of Bruschetta Pasta Salad with diced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and red onion on a light table. Fresh basil, garlic, tomatoes, pepper, and a fork are arranged nearby for a rustic, inviting presentation.

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A fresh twist on your favorite appetizer

This bruschetta pasta salad has everything you love about classic bruschetta…a mouthwatering combo of fresh chopped tomatoes, onion, basil, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and scrumptious seasonings, all tossed with pasta so it’s hearty enough to be dinner and not just an appetizer. And of course, I like to add mozzarella balls!

Now, as a dietitian, I have to tell you how hard this bowl is working for you. Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that’s great for your heart and your skin, and extra virgin olive oil delivers the heart-healthy fat that makes Mediterranean eating so darn good for you. Those little mozzarella balls? They add protein and bone-building calcium to keep you full and satisfied.

A white bowl filled with diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, minced garlic, basil, and black pepper—perfect toppings for Easy Bruschetta Chicken with Mozzarella—surrounded by fresh ingredients and a knife on a cutting board.
A white bowl of Bruschetta Pasta Salad with chopped tomato, red onion, and herbs sits on marble. Nearby are fresh tomatoes, sliced red onion, a garlic bulb, and a knife on a wooden cutting board.
A white bowl contains Bruschetta Pasta Salad, with half rotini pasta and half a tomato, onion, and herb mixture, surrounded by tomatoes, garlic, basil leaves, a bowl of pepper, and a striped napkin on a light tabletop.
A white bowl filled with Bruschetta Pasta Salad—rotini pasta, diced tomatoes, red onions, and herbs—mixed with wooden salad servers. Fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and a small bowl of pepper are on the table nearby.
A bowl of Bruschetta Pasta Salad with rotini, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. Wooden salad servers rest in the bowl, surrounded by fresh tomatoes, basil, and a garlic bulb on the table.

A few tips: use the ripest, most flavorful tomatoes you can find (this is the time to splurge at the farmers market), and salt them lightly before mixing to draw out extra juice for even more flavor in every bite. A short pasta shape like rotini or fusilli helps catch all that garlicky, tomato-y goodness in every forkful. And if you’d like to bump up the protein and fiber even more, swap in a chickpea or whole grain pasta.

If this pasta salad has you craving bruschetta in every form, you’re in luck… I’ve got a few more ways to enjoy it. Try my Easy Bruschetta Omelet for breakfast, or Bruschetta Chicken for lunch or dinner. And if you’re feeling a little bruschetta wild, definitely give my Strawberry Bruschetta Chicken a try for a fruity twist.

A bowl of Bruschetta Pasta Salad with rotini, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. Wooden salad servers rest in the bowl, surrounded by fresh tomatoes, basil, and a garlic bulb on the table.

One pasta salad is never enough!

This recipe is also featured on TODAY.com!

Two bowls of Bruschetta Pasta Salad with diced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil sit on a white surface. Fresh tomatoes, garlic, black pepper, and basil leaves are nearby. A hand twirls pasta from one bowl with a fork.

Enjoy this pasta salad with my Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken and Veggies for a complete dinner!

A bowl of Bruschetta Pasta Salad with rotini, chopped tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and garlic. Wooden salad servers rest in the bowl, surrounded by fresh tomatoes, basil, and a garlic bulb on the table.
(4.75 stars) 4 ratings

Bruschetta Pasta Salad

Like I always say, the more bruschetta, the betta. And this pasta is infused with everything we love about the classic.
Yield: 8 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces ½ box rotini or fusilli pasta, cooked according to package directions (~4 cups cooked)
  • 5 Roma or plum tomatoes, finely chopped (~3 cups)
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • ¼ cup minced fresh basil leaves
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt or more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or more to taste
  • 4 to 8 ounces mozzarella balls/pearls or shaved parmesan, optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare pasta according to package directions. (I use a healthy pasta variety, such as whole-grain, protein-rich or legume-based.)
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Gently stir to combine, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  • Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add 4 cups to bowl with bruschetta and toss. Add mozzarella or shaved parmesan, if desired.
  • Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, along with extra dashes of olive oil, balsamic and minced basil until it’s perfectly delicious. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to serve.
  • This will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Notes

You can easily increase the recipe yield to feed a larger crowd by using up the entire box of pasta and simply doubling the bruschetta ingredients.
Nutrition information provided for 1 cup. Add 40 calories and 2 g protein per serving if using 4 ounces mozzarella.
Author: Joy Bauer, MS, RDN, CDN
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition Information per serving

Calories: 100Carbohydrates: 18gProtein: 4gTotal Fat: 2.5g— Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g— Saturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 20mgFiber: 2gTotal Sugar: 1g— Natural Sugar: 1g— Added Sugar: 0g
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.
I’m hoping you loved this recipe! If you made it and want to share feedback, I’d be so grateful to hear from you. Please leave a review below or tag @joybauer on Instagram!