Bruschetta Pasta recipe for the table

With juicy tomatoes, bright and zesty basil, rich mozzarella, and hearty spaghetti, this Bruschetta Pasta is a satisfying and simple dinner recipe the whole family will love! You can make it in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights and it's fancy enough for big weekend dinners too.

If you crave comfort food, pasta is often a good answer. Scroll through this site, and you'll find plenty of soul-soothing, hunger-satiating pasta recipes.

Some reader favorites include Cajun Shrimp Pasta, Dairy-Free One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta, and Pressure-cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta. Those are all tasty rich pasta dishes that are simple to make in about 30 minutes.

If you're in the mood for a lighter pasta dinner that is still comforting, try this Bruschetta Pasta recipe. It has the heartiness of pasta with a lighter, fresh bruschetta topping.

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🌟 Why this recipe works

This bruschetta pasta recipe is super satisfying.

You can make this pasta in 30 minutes or less.
The recipe calls for ingredients that are simple to find in almost any grocery store.
This is a hearty, filling pasta dish sure to satisfy your hunger.
The bruschetta is full of antioxidant-rich tomatoes and basil, and acts as the "sauce" for this pasta, making it a healthier pasta option.

🛒 Ingredient notes

Tomatoes- We love using Roma tomatoes (or plum tomatoes) in this recipe. You can also use San Marzano tomatoes or tomatoes on the vine. Be sure to use fresh, juicy, healthy tomatoes for the best flavor.

Mozzarella – You can often find small mozzarella balls in the deli section of your grocery store with other cheeses. They usually come in 6-ounce or 8-ounce plastic containers filled with liquid to keep them from drying out. Be sure to drain the liquid out and pat the mozzarella balls with a paper towel to dry them before using in this recipe.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package directions.

Start by making the bruschetta tomato mixture. In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, red onions, half of the minced garlic, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the basil. Toss together until well combined, and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, add the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic along with the oregano, then stir to cook for one minute, simply until the garlic becomes soft and fragrant.

3. At this time, slowly and carefully add a little bit of the hot starchy pasta water to the skillet (about ¼ cup).

4. Then add the butter and continue stirring until the butter melts.

5. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet, tossing gently to coat the pasta with the garlic sauce.

6. Add the lemon juice and mozzarella cheese.

7. Then add the tomato bruschetta mixture. Toss together until the pasta is well coated. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Drizzle remaining balsamic vinegar and sprinkle remaining basil over the top simply before serving.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

What is bruschetta?

The term bruschetta refers to bread that is toasted or grilled, then topped with olive oil. Often, this antipasto dish includes diced tomatoes, basil, and garlic.

What's the best way to store leftovers?

Allow the pasta to cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight food-safe container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

To make this bruschetta pasta recipe, you'll need a large skillet and a large pot to cook the pasta.

🍽 Serving ideas

We love serving this bruschetta pasta recipe with some hearty, crusty bread. Try the Simple French Bread recipe. Or make Garlic Parmesan Knots, Pandesal (Filipino Dinner Rolls) or Garlic Rosemary Focaccia Bread.

This simple dinner recipe is also tasty with a big green salad or side of vegetables. Try the Air Fryer Broccoli or Garlic Lemon Asparagus.

Or make this Marinated Feta Cheese as a yummy appetizer.

🍝 More pasta recipes

If you love these flavors, also try this classic tomato bruschetta appetizer recipe.

For more pasta recipes, try one of these:

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Bruschetta Pasta

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 4 servings With juicy tomatoes, bright basil, and creamy mozzarella tossed with spaghetti, this Bruschetta Pasta is a satisfying and simple dinner recipe.

Ingredients

10 ounces spaghetti
2½ cups diced Roma tomatoes (about 4 tomatoes)
½ cup finely chopped red onion
4 garlic cloves, minced and divided
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
¼ cup thinly sliced basil (chiffonade), divided
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
6 ounces mozzarella balls

Instructions

In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package directions.
In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, red onions, half of the minced garlic, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the basil. Toss together until well combined, then set aside. This is the bruschetta mixture.
In a large skillet, add the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and oregano, then stir to cook for one minute, simply until the garlic becomes soft and fragrant. At this time, slowly and carefully add a little bit of the hot starchy pasta water to the skillet (about ¼ cup). Then add the butter and continue stirring until the butter melts.
Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet, tossing gently to coat the pasta with the garlic sauce. Add the lemon juice and mozzarella cheese, then add the tomato bruschetta mixture. Toss together until the pasta is well coated. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Drizzle with remaining balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with remaining basil simply before serving.

Notes

Pasta: you can use anywhere from 8 ounces to 12 ounces of pasta for this recipe. We've made it mostly with about 10 ounces of pasta, and find the ratio of pasta to bruschetta topping to be great at that amount. Storage: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight food-safe container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition

Calories: 596 kcal, Carbohydrates: 64 g, Protein: 19 g, Fat: 30 g, Saturated Fat: 9 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12 g, Trans Fat: 0.2 g, Cholesterol: 30 mg, Sodium: 338 mg, Potassium: 585 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 9 g, Vitamin A: 1504 IU, Vitamin C: 23 mg, Calcium: 216 mg, Iron: 2 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.