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Bruschetta Pasta Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 116 reviews

Bruschetta Pasta is a fresh and flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines perfectly cooked pasta with a vibrant mix of tomatoes, basil, garlic, and balsamic vinegar. This simple yet delicious recipe highlights the refreshing taste of traditional bruschetta toppings tossed with pasta, making it an ideal light meal or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your favorite type)

Bruschetta Mixture

  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red onion (finely diced)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups fresh tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Optional Toppings

  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces of your chosen pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, finely diced red onion, balsamic vinegar, chopped fresh tomatoes, and roughly chopped basil leaves. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
  3. Toss pasta: Add the hot, drained pasta to the bowl with the tomato mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to evenly coat the pasta. Gradually add the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
  4. Serve: Let the pasta sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes on top if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as spaghetti, penne, or fusilli.
  • For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
  • Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
  • Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without adding oil or cream.
  • This dish is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Bruschetta pasta, Italian pasta recipe, fresh tomato pasta, easy pasta dish, vegetarian pasta