Delicious Bruschetta Pasta Salad | Walder Wellness, RD (2024)

Tomatoes are a rich source ofvitamin Cand other phytochemicals that act asantioxidants, likelycopeneandbeta-carotene.

These antioxidants help to reduce risk of many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. They also have other beneficial effects, such as promoting skin health.

In addition, tomatoes are a good source of:

• dietary fibre(important for gut health)
• potassium(important for blood pressure control)
• folate(important for normal tissue growth + cell function)
• vitamin K(important for blood clotting + bone health)

Tomatoes are also 95% water, making them super hydrating when the weather gets hot!

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Servings: 4

5 from 7 votes

• 2 cups small pasta shape, dry
• Approx. 24 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved (roughly 680 grams or 5 cups)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 a small shallot, chopped
• Approx. 6 ounces mini bocconcini (mozzarella balls), halved (roughly 180 grams)
• Approx. 1 ounce fresh basil leaves, chopped (28 grams or one standard package)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• Salt + pepper, to taste

Breadcrumbs (optional, but highly recommended!):

• 2 large slices sourdough bread (or other bread of choice)
• 1.5 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

• Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta once cooked.

• Prep salad: While pasta cooks, prepare the remainder of the salad ingredients. Add tomatoes, garlic, shallot, bocconcini, olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil, and salt + pepper to a large salad bowl. Toss and let the ingredients sit.

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• Make breadcrumbs: Toast bread of choice in the toaster. Then, tear bread into smaller pieces and place in a large food processor. Pulse until small crumbs form (you can keep various sizes to add texture).

  Next, heat 1.5 tsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add breadcrumbs and garlic powder. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, until toasted/crunchy, stirring frequently.

• Add drained pasta and breadcrumbs to the rest of the salad ingredients. Toss to combine, seasoning with additional salt + pepper as needed. Enjoy!

*LEFTOVERS + MAKE AHEAD:

• This pasta salad tastes great made in advance! The breadcrumbs will get soggy, but that may be a taste that you actually enjoy. If you’d prefer to keep them crunchy, store the breadcrumbs separately (at room temperature) and add just before serving!
• Leftovers will keep for about 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS + TIPS:

• You can use any SMALL pasta shape that you enjoy for this recipe – from bowties (as pictured), to cavatappi, penne, or rigatoni. If you follow a gluten-free diet, please choose a certified gluten-free pasta.
• Choosing vine-ripened or tomatoes still on the vine ensures that your tomatoes are sweet and juicy! If you can’t find cherry tomatoes, feel free to use another small tomato variety, such as grape tomatoes.
• If you’d prefer, you can swap the bocconcini with freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano. I think either would taste great. For a dairy-free version, you may omit the cheese unless you can find a suitable dairy-free alternative.
• While I love using sourdough, you can use any type of bread you have, fresh or frozen (this is a great way to use up any end bits!!) If you’re gluten-free, please use a certified gluten-free bread OR omit the bread entirely.
• If you don’t have a food processor to make breadcrumbs, you can simply chop up the toasted bread using a knife. It’s ok if it’s not a perfect “crumb” – different sizes and textures work great here 🙂

Nutrition

As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.

Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.

Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean

Keyword: easy, healthy, pasta salad

Author: Carrie Walder