Sunshine Tomato Pasta Salad
Vibrant pasta salad with rainbow pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a honey-lemon dressing that kids love. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs bowtie pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber 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
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup, diced (red or yellow) bell pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil with 1 tbsp salt. Cook 12 oz bowtie pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente, drain, and rinse under cold water until cool.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled bowtie pasta, 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup diced bell pepper, and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella.
- Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste until emulsified and smooth.
- Step 4: Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss gently until evenly coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sunshine Tomato Pasta Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Sunshine Tomato 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 bowtie pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sunshine Tomato 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 Sunshine Tomato 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.
What goes well with Sunshine Tomato Pasta Salad?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
Love how the Italian come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
