Description
This Bruschetta Pasta is a fresh and flavorful Italian-inspired dinner that combines tender spaghetti with juicy Roma tomatoes, garlic, basil, mozzarella, and a touch of balsamic vinegar. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s an easy family-friendly meal that delivers the classic flavors of bruschetta in a satisfying pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 ounces spaghetti
- 2½ cups diced Roma tomatoes (about 4 tomatoes)
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced, divided
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
- ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil, divided
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 6 ounces mozzarella balls
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.
- In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, red onion, half the garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and 2 tablespoons basil. Toss well and set aside.
- Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Slowly add the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir in the butter until melted.
- Add the drained spaghetti and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce.
- Stir in the lemon juice and mozzarella balls.
- Add the prepared bruschetta mixture and gently toss until combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Drizzle with the remaining balsamic vinegar and garnish with the remaining basil before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor.
- Roma tomatoes work best because they are less watery than other varieties.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a silky sauce that coats the pasta.
- For extra protein, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage.
- This dish can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 470 Kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg