This easy roasted tomato pasta salad is full of sweetness from the tomatoes and saltiness from the feta. It makes the perfect grab and go lunch or light dinner!
Can we start talking summer dinners yet?
I realise that it may seem a little early and there's plenty of people still dealing with snow. Here we're getting a lot of bright but cold days and oh man it is so windy.
But still I'm finding myself drawn to simple summery dinners like this easy pasta salad recipe. I think it's because I know that summer is just around the corner. The first couple of months of the year have flown by so I'm eager to get on the summer recipe train and start dreaming up what I'll be eating when it finally warms up.
Of course the tomatoes at the moment are still tasteless and horrible but that's where the roasting comes in. Slow roasting brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes perfectly and is my favourite way to enjoy tomatoes in the cold months.
Related: Try these caprese toasts for another delicious use for tomatoes.
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So this whole pasta salad is so simple to make. The only thing that takes time is roasting the tomatoes, if you want them to be ready in less time then you can definitely turn the heat up but I like the low and slow method when I have time as I think it makes the tomatoes extra sweet and tasty. I use the same method in this pearl barley and tomato salad and the tomatoes are just so good!
Once the tomatoes are in the oven you just need to cook the pasta according to packet instructions.
Once everything is cooked then toss all the ingredients together, drizzle with plenty of olive oil and then you're ready to serve.
Why we love this easy roasted tomato pasta salad:
- Well, the clue is in the title, but it is so easy to make this pasta salad. There's minimal chopping, barely even any cooking and as long as you can turn an oven on and boil some pasta you're well on your way to making this salad
- It's full of flavour even though it only uses a handful of ingredients thanks to the lemon juice, garlic and sweetly roasted tomatoes
- It's vegetarian and so easy to make vegan by simply leaving out the feta so everyone can enjoy it!
Ingredients
- Cherry Tomatoes: The roasting means that even tasteless winter tomatoes can be delicious in this pasta salad
- Olive Oil: I love to drizzle plenty over just before serving
- Pasta: Go for whatever short cut you like, I like fusilli
- Lemon: The juice adds so much flavour to the pasta salad
- Garlic: I go for one clove, it goes in raw so tread lightly here
- Fresh Basil Leaves: As if you could have a tomato pasta salad without basil. Fresh parsley would also work if you prefer.
- Rocket (Arugula): For that peppery flavour
- Feta: This is crumbled through just before serving for that yummy saltiness
How to make it
- Roast the tomatoes: Halve the tomatoes, spread on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper then roast for an hour.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Boil the pasta according to packet instructions then drain and run under cold water to refresh.
- Make the pasta salad: Put the pasta, tomatoes and all the other ingredients into a large bowl and toss everything together.
Variations
I love to add extra veggies to this pasta salad. Most things will work but something like griddled asparagus or chopped red bell pepper would be really good.
If you're not a fan of feta you could use a different cheese like fresh mozzarella or burrata for more of a caprese vibe.
Storage
Leftovers of this dish will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FAQs
The wonderful thing about pasta salads is that, yes, they can be eaten straight away but they're one of those things that just keep getting better after you've let them sit for a little while. If you make this the day before you need it then the flavours will have plenty of extra time to infuse together and the resulting pasta salad will be even more delicious!
This pasta salad can sit in the fridge in a sealed container for 3-4 days.
I do recommend rinsing your pasta in cold water before mixing with the other ingredients. This helps to cool that pasta down and also helps prevent it from sticking together as it gets cold.
To make this pasta salad I rinse under cold water until slightly cooled and then add the warm pasta to the rest of the ingredients but if you prefer you can leave to completely cool or use ready cooked cold pasta. Anything will work.
Want more? Try these other pasta salad recipes!
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad with Basil Dressing
- Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies
- Balsamic Pasta Salad
- Greek Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing
- Tuna Pasta Salad with Feta & Pine Nuts
- Mackerel Pasta Salad with Asparagus
Recipe
Easy Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 500 g Cherry Tomatoes
- Olive Oil for drizzling
- 350 g Pasta
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 1 cloves Garlic crushed
- 10 g Fresh Basil
- 70 g Rocket
- 100 g Feta Cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 150°C/300°F. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and spread on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and season well then place in the oven and roast for an hour.
- While the tomatoes are roasting cook the pasta according to packet instructions and refresh under cold water.
- Place the pasta in a large bowl and pour over a tablespoon of olive oil, the lemon juice, garlic, basil, salt and pepper and the tomatoes. Toss then add the feta and toss again. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
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Jen says
I've been eating so many comfort foods lately that I'm excited by this lighter option. Pasta is always a hit in our house.
Demeter says
It was such a great idea to roast the tomatoes in this salad. I just love the flavor that it adds. So good!
Helen of Fuss Free Flavours says
I love pasta salads. They are so easy to make and always satifying. Great for taking to work, and great for a prepped ahead dinner. Such lovely colours and a perfect combination of flavours.
Veena Azmanov says
Love the colorful and healthy option of Basil and Tomatoes to this Pasta. Looks crunchy and yummy too.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I am super picky with salad, but I adore pasta salads and this one looks super delicious! I love the all the flavours in this salad and I know it would disappear fast in my house!