Tomato-Basil Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-20 · Updated 2026-04-20

A vibrant cold pasta salad featuring al dente pasta, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil in a light vinaigrette. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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 pasta
• 12 oz cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and toss with 1 tsp olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: Halve 12 oz cherry tomatoes and thinly slice 1/4 cup red onion. Chop 1/4 cup fresh basil, reserving 1 tbsp for garnish.
3. Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine drained pasta, tomatoes, red onion, and chopped basil. Pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving, garnished with reserved basil.