Warm Basil and Tomato Pasta Salad
This Warm Tomato Pasta Salad is made with a few fresh ingredients including tomatoes and fresh basil. Mixed together with your favourite short pasta to create a simple tasty Summer Salad recipe.
When it comes to the Summer I have to say I am more into the quick and easy recipes. I usually spend some time in Toronto but when I come back to Italy the heat is a killer! It is usually 40+ degrees until September!
So I am always looking for delicious recipes that don’t take too much time but have fresh ingredients. Such as a simple Caprese salad, a simple tomato salad or delicious bean salad or how about a seafood salad?
Recipe Ingredients
- Tomatoes – fresh
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Fresh basil
- Salt
- Hot pepper flakes – pepper
- Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil – good quality
- Cooked short pasta
The Best Tomatoes for Boiling
- Make sure they are ripe but firm.
- Roma (also known as Italian Plum Tomatoes.
- San Marzano.
- and one of my favourites Pachino which are a medium-sized plum shaped tomato (not to be confused with cherry tomatoes – same family but larger) from Sicily.
This Fresh Tomato Pasta Salad is both. It’s fast and it’s simple. It tastes delicious either warm or the next day refrigerated. To tell the truth the Italian preferred it the next day, because the ingredients all mingled together to give it a stronger more intense flavor.
How to Make a Warm Fresh Tomato Pasta Salad
- Boil the firm but ripe tomatoes
- Drain and let cool to touch
- Remove the skin and seeds, then slice thinly
- In a large bowl toss the tomato slices with fresh basil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, hot pepper flakes (if desired) and olive oil
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for 60 minutes.
- Then add drained hot pasta and serve, or refrigerate an hour or two before serving. If you are an olive lover than add some sliced black or green olives too!
How Much Dry Pasta To Cooked Pasta
Pasta usually doubles in size when cooked, so for the recipe you will need approximately 1 1/2 to 2 cups of dried pasta to make 3 cups cooked. One cup of uncooked pasta is equal to approximately 70 grams (I measured with mezze rigatoni).
How to store Leftover Warm Tomato Pasta salad
Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. It will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge. I do not recommend freezing.
More Pasta Salads you may enjoy!
- Easy Italian Pasta Salad
- Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad with fresh Summer Vegetables
If you love Parmesan cheese as much as I do, some flaked fresh Parmesan would be the perfect touch before serving. Buon Appetito!
Warm Fresh Basil and Tomato Fusilli Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound tomatoes (roma or plum firm and ripe)
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 5-6 leaves fresh basil** (chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1-2 dashes hot pepper flakes or black pepper
- 4-5 tablespoons tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 cups cooked short pasta
**add more leaves if desired.
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling water add the tomatoes and boil for 1 minute. Drain and let cool just until you can handle them. Remove the skin, slice in half and remove the seeds, thinly slice.
- Place the tomato slices in a large bowl and toss with the minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, hot pepper flakes and olive oil. Cover with plastic and let sit 60 minutes at room temperature.
- In the last 20 minutes or so in a large pot heat water and a little salt until boiling, cook pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with tomato mixture. If you like olives than add some sliced olives to the mixture, and toss together. Can be served immediately or refrigerate for a couple of hours and serve. Top with flakes of Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Hey looks delish, can i make this ahead to take camping this weekend, like instead of regular pasta salad? How does it stay refrrigerated.
Hi Beth, this is actually served warm or room temperature. You would have to have some form of refrigeration or cooler I guess to take it. Hope that helps.
I’m growing roma tomatoes in the garden RN and cannot wait to make this warm basil tomato salad!
Thanks Jenn, I hope you enjoy it!
This quick easy recipe is such a delight! It’s perfect for busy families and picky eaters alike.
Hi Denay thanks so much glad you like it.