Outdoor Picnic Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

A refreshing cold pasta salad perfect for outdoor gatherings, featuring al dente pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a tangy vinaigrette. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, halved, fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool; drain well.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing along with 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss lightly again.
5. Step 5: Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold outdoors for a refreshing picnic side dish.