Bruschetta Pasta Salad
Bruschetta Pasta Salad is an easy, balanced meal made with seasonal tomatoes, herbs and spices, plus nutrient-rich pasta and grilled chicken. Cook once and enjoy all week!
Nut Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Gluten Free option
There are a few things I look forward to every single summer: farm stand tomatoes (they just hit different), pasta salad, and campfire s’mores.
This Bruschetta Pasta Salad recipe combines two of my favorites: summer tomatoes and pasta salad.
How has it taken me this long to think of this recipe?! But one thing is for sure… this recipe will be on repeat all summer long!
Bruschetta Pasta Salad is…
- Easy to make
- Great for meal prep
- So flavorful
- Balanced
- DELICIOUS!!
While pasta doesn’t have the best reputation, I’m here to change that. Despite what diet culture tells you, pasta is actually packed with nutrients. It’s rich in…
- Fiber (even white, semolina pasta contains __ grams of fiber per serving)
- Protein
- Folate
- Iron
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Bruschetta Pasta Salad
This pasta salad has three main components:
- The balsamic dressing
- Pasta
- Bruschetta
The Balsamic Dressing is a favorite recipe of mine that I use on salads and now in this pasta salad. It’s made with…
- Balsamic vinegar
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup – trust me, it’s the best sweetener to use!!
- Garlic
- Spices, including oregano, salt and pepper
I used semolina pasta for this recipe, but you can use any pasta you prefer.
Despite what many people believe, semolina (white) pasta is packed with nutrients. One serving contains:
- 200 calories
- 3 grams fiber
- 7 grams protein
- 10% Daily Value (DV) iron
- 50% DV folate
Sure, there are other pasta options available that contain more protein or more fiber, but it really depends on what else is in your meal.
The bruschetta contains just a few ingredients, paired with the balsamic vinaigrette, including…
- tomatoes
- shallots
- basil
- sun dried tomatoes
As you can see, there’s no garlic listed in the ingredient list, but it’s in the dressing. You can always add more, if you wish.
To balance the pasta and veggies I also added (leftover) grilled chicken.
Most people don’t feel great when eating pasta because they’re eating a HUGE bowl of carbs. But when you add a protein source, like chicken, it helps you stay full and balances your blood sugar.
I like to use any leftover chicken (or pre-made grilled chicken from Trader Joe’s or Applegate’s grilled chicken strips) or rotisserie chicken.
If you don’t eat chicken, you can also add tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, or white beans instead.
How to Make Bruschetta Pasta Salad
This recipe is quite easy to make, even though it has a few components.
First, get your water boiling for the pasta.
Be sure to salt your water, “like the sea!”
Next, prepare the balsamic vinaigrette.
I like to make it in a jar. You add all ingredients to the jar and shake, shake, shake! Save any leftovers (or double the recipe) to use on salads too.
While the pasta boils, make the bruschetta.
Add the tomatoes, shallots, basil, and sun dried tomatoes to a large glass bowl. You can also do this step in advance! Then add the grilled chicken too.
Last, you’ll assemble the pasta salad.
When the pasta is done, drain it. Let it cool for a few minutes before adding the pasta to the bruschetta. Toss together with the balsamic vinaigrette.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need to Make Bruschetta Pasta Salad
How to Store Pasta Salad
Pasta salad gets better with time! Store it in a covered large bowl in the fridge. I love using these bowls because they come with the lid and they’re easy to transport to a BBQ or picnic. If you prefer glass, I also have this one (but not as portable, because… glass!)
How to Meal Prep This Recipe
This is a great recipe to meal prep because it really does get better with time. The pasta marinates and tastes delicious!
To prep for this recipe, you can make each component in advance (the balsamic vinaigrette, the pasta, and the bruschetta). You can assemble when you’re ready to serve.
Alternatively, you can make the whole thing in advance, store in the fridge, and it will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
Other Pasta Salad Recipes to Enjoy:
PrintBruschetta Pasta Salad
Bruschetta Pasta Salad is an easy, balanced meal made with seasonal tomatoes, herbs and spices, plus nutrient-rich pasta and grilled chicken. Cook once and enjoy all week!
Nut Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Gluten Free option
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup good quality olive oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon chopped garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz pasta (I used shells)
- 3 cups chopped Roma tomatoes (I used 4 tomatoes)
- ½ large shallot, finely chopped
- ½ cup chiffonade basil
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes
- 1 pound grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken
Instructions
To make the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- In a container with a lid combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, garlic, oregano and salt and black pepper. Shake to combine. Set aside.
To make the Bruschetta Pasta Salad:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions.
- To a large bowl add tomatoes, shallots, basil, sun dried tomatoes, and chicken. Set aside.
- When the pasta is done cooking, drain well and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Add the pasta to the large bowl with bruschetta. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette on top and toss together. Enjoy!
Keywords: pasta salad, bruschetta
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