Simple Balsamic Pasta Salad

What's a summer celebration without pasta salad? This balsamic pasta salad recipe is so simple, it takes just 6 ingredients but is bursting with flavour from roasted tomatoes, balsamic and arugula. It is the epitome of a summer dish!

I love pasta salads. They are the perfect way to repurpose pasta as a light and fresh summer meal rather than a heavy and comforting winter one.

Of course if you're after a comforting pasta dish then head right over to this instant pot chicken pasta or this butternut squash and spinach lasagna and cook them any time of year, no judgement here.

It's nearly summerrrrr! I can't wait for beautiful sunshine and tans and a big beaming smile on my face. Summer is my season, it fills me with joy and happiness.

Not only do I love warmth and sun I also love summer food. I love the British traditions of barbecues with slightly burned food and forcing yourself to sit in a beer garden slightly too early in the year and shivering your way through a pub meal before retreating inside.

And I love summer meals like this.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage
• Tips for making this balsamic pasta salad
• Balsamic Pasta Salad FAQs
• Recipe

We first made this a few weeks ago, slightly before the weather really warranted it but I wanted to perfect the ultimate summer recipe in time for barbecue and picnic season and I think I've really done it.

Since pasta has always been one of my favourite foods it only follows that pasta salad has always been one of my favourite dishes and I'm always happy when I get to celebrate summer with a big bowl of it.

I think it's especially great to have a good vegetarian version in your back pocket when you want a light and fresh summer dish.

Ingredients

This is such a simple ingredient list but each one adds so much flavour!

• Pasta: We used wholewheat penne but whatever short cut pasta you have will work
• Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Cherry Tomatoes: Roasted until super sweet
• Rocket (Arugula)
• Basil
• Salt and Pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

So this particular recipe is a combination of a few beautiful summer ingredients.

We've got the penne, we used wholewheat but use whatever you've got, then there's some cherry tomatoes roasted until they're super sweet and bursting. Basil and rocket (arugula) make up the green freshness portion of the salad and then it's just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil to finish things off.

It's great warm or cold, for lunch or dinner and for main course or as a side dish.

I especially love the roasted cherry tomatoes in there. Roasting them adds so much sweetness to them which is especially good here in the UK when, even in tomato season, you're still in danger of ending up with a flavourless tomato from the supermarket.

It also has the added benefit of creating an extra saucy element to the pasta salad. Once the tomatoes have burst their juice coats the pasta and I always make sure to add in all the tomatoey olive oil from the bottom of the roasting tray as well. It's crazy delicious.

Instructions

Start by roasting the tomatoes by drizzling them with oil and tossing with salt and pepper then cooking for 25 minutes.

While the tomatoes roast cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Put the roasted tomatoes in a bowl with the balsamic, oil, salt, pepper and basil.

Pour the tomato mixture over the cooked pasta. Add the arugula and toss everything together well.

This is going to be the recipe I make all summer long. It's easy enough to make before every barbecue and picnic we have and is great for a make ahead dish as well.

You could even make it for meal prep and have it for lunches all through the week. This for lunch everyday is extremely welcome in my summer life.

Substitutions

Balsamic Vinegar: Although the balsamic flavour is key here, you could use a balsamic glaze rather than straight vinegar if that's what you have, just keep in mind that it may be a bit sweeter

Gluten Free: Simply use your favourite brand of gluten free pasta

Variations

Veggies: I've kept it pretty simple here with arugula and tomatoes but you could definitely use this recipe as a base and add in any other raw or roasted vegetables you like

Protein: Shredded chicken would be delicious stirred through this pasta

Storage

This recipe can be kept in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Tips for making this balsamic pasta salad

• Since this is so simple it's a good idea to get the best quality ingredients so you can to really let them shine.
• We used wholewheat pasta to up the healthiness a bit but use whichever pasta you prefer. Any shortcut would work.
• If you're storing this in the fridge I like to add an extra drizzle of olive oil before serving just to freshen everything up again.

Balsamic Pasta Salad FAQs

Want more? Try these other summer salad recipes!

• Healthy Potato Cobb Salad
• Summer Salad with Pearl Barley & Feta
• Chicken and Mango Salsa Bowl
• Halloumi Salad with Kale & Tahini Dressing
• Greek Salad with Salmon
• Summer Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables
• Tuna Pasta Salad
• Mackerel Pasta Salad with Asparagus
• Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad

Recipe

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