Easy Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad
A fresh and colorful pasta salad featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and a light basil vinaigrette perfect for a kid-friendly lunch or side dish. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 27 minutes pairs farfalle pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz farfalle pasta
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of farfalle pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to make the dressing.
- Step 3: Add the cooled pasta, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup mozzarella pearls, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil to the bowl. Toss gently to combine and coat everything with the dressing.
- Step 4: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Easy Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Easy Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep farfalle pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Easy Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Easy Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Easy Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
