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Bruschetta Pasta: Your New Favorite 30-Minute Italian Dinner

This bruschetta pasta recipe transforms classic Italian bruschetta flavors - juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic - into a delicious pasta dish ready in under 30 minutes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive but simple to prepare.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti work best)
  • 1 tablespoon salt for boiling water
  • 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prepare the pasta by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil, adding 1 tablespoon of salt, and cooking pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Make the bruschetta mixture by combining halved tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Combine everything by adding the hot, drained pasta to the bruschetta mixture and tossing together, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
  4. Finish and serve by stirring in grated Parmesan cheese, adjusting seasoning if needed, and serving immediately with extra basil leaves and Parmesan for garnish.

Notes

Use the best tomatoes available - heirloom or vine-ripened in summer, cherry or grape tomatoes in winter. Short pasta like penne or fusilli catches the bruschetta mixture perfectly. The bruschetta mixture can be prepared 2-3 hours ahead to enhance flavors.