Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where bold Mediterranean flavors meet easy summer sides. Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad tosses al dente pasta with tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, and basil in zesty dressing made from sun-dried tomato oil. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or healthy lunches.

Make-ahead, vegan-adaptable, ready in 25 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works

• Sun-dried tomato oil creates flavorful dressing base.
• Short pasta holds dressing and ingredients perfectly.
• Fresh mozzarella pearls add creamy bursts.
• Basil brightens rich tomato tang.
• Improves with chilling time.

Ingredients & Prep

• 16 oz short pasta (rotini, farfalle, or penne)
• 1 (8 oz) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained (reserve oil)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or ciliegine
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, halved
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• ¼ cup reserved sun-dried tomato oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook pasta al dente in salted water. Drain, rinse under cold water, toss with 1 teaspoon oil.
2. Chop half the sun-dried tomatoes; slice the rest.
3. Whisk reserved tomato oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper for dressing.
4. In large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped and sliced sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, red onion, and basil.
5. Pour dressing over; toss gently. Chill 30 minutes before serving.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Refrigerate covered up to 4 days. Dressing may thicken; stir before serving.

FAQs

Pasta sticky? Rinse well and toss with oil after cooking.
Too oily? Use half the reserved oil and more vinegar.
Make vegan? Skip cheese or use vegan mozzarella.

Conclusion

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad delivers vibrant Mediterranean crunch with effortless flavor. Bright, satisfying, and picnic-perfect. Find more pasta salad favorites at dishfoody.com.

Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

A bright and flavorful pasta salad made with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, mozzarella, and a zesty homemade vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or an easy weeknight side dish.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 oz pasta (fusilli, bowtie, or rotini)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup olives (optional)
• Dressing:
• 3 tbsp olive oil (from sun-dried tomato jar or regular)
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

• 1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.
• 2. Add cooled pasta to a large bowl and mix in sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, basil, parsley, and olives if using.
• 3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
• 4. Pour dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat.
• 5. Refrigerate for at least 20–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
• 6. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Notes

• Add grilled chicken to make this a full meal.
• Use feta cheese instead of mozzarella for a tangier twist.
• Pasta salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 280mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: Sun Dried Tomato Pasta Salad, pasta salad recipe, summer salad