Tricolor Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil
A colorful cold pasta salad featuring tri-color rotini, crisp cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a zesty Italian dressing, perfect for summer gatherings. This italian-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs tri-color rotini pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped fresh basil leaves 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 350 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
- 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 1/2 cups, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1, minced garlic clove
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the dressing.
- Step 3: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing, then fold in 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 cup mozzarella pearls, and 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper until evenly combined.
- Step 4: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and serve cold as a refreshing patriotic side dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tricolor Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil 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 Tricolor Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
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 tri-color rotini pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tricolor Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil?
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 Tricolor Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Tricolor Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil 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.
