Tuscan Pasta Salad

This easy Tuscan Pasta Salad is packed with fresh Italian-inspired flavors and tossed in a delicious homemade dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, BBQs, potlucks, and more!

If you love fresh, flavorful pasta salads, you’re going to love this Tuscan Pasta Salad. It’s packed with colorful vegetables, savory sun-dried tomatoes, creamy Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil, all tossed with tender bowtie pasta and a simple homemade dressing. Every bite is bursting with delicious Italian-inspired flavors!

This easy pasta salad is perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, picnics, family gatherings, parties, or as a simple side dish for dinner. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time and tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator, giving all those delicious flavors time to come together!

Looking for more easy summer side dishes? Find more delicious pasta salads and summer recipes here.

TUSCAN PASTA SALAD

This Tuscan Pasta Salad is a fresh and colorful side dish that’s full of Italian-inspired flavor. Tender bowtie pasta is tossed with savory sun-dried tomatoes, crisp red bell pepper, black olives, baby spinach, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil for the perfect combination of textures and flavors.

The homemade dressing is what brings everything together, combining extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, white vinegar, Italian seasoning, and a touch of sugar and seasonings. Once tossed with the pasta and vegetables, the salad chills in the refrigerator for at least one hour, allowing all of the flavors to blend together before serving.

Find my expert tips on how to make the best Tuscan Pasta Salad below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️

Why You’ll Love This Easy Tuscan Pasta Salad

Fresh & Flavorful: Sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, basil, Parmesan, and homemade Italian dressing give this pasta salad incredible flavor.

Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and easy preparation make this a fuss-free side dish.

Perfect for Sharing: It’s great for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, parties, holidays, and family gatherings.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

Ingredients

12 ounces uncooked bowtie pasta
1 jar (7-ounces) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
1 small red bell pepper, diced (seeds and ribs removed)
1 small can (6.5-ounces) sliced black olives
1 ½ cups baby spinach leaves
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced (chiffonade)

Dressing

½ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons white vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water.

In a large bowl, combine the pasta, drained sun-dried tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, sliced black olives, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Gently toss until combined.

For the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, white vinegar, water, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and black pepper.

Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Serve and enjoy!

Servings

Serves 6

Storage

Store the pasta salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a gentle toss before serving, as the dressing may settle to the bottom while refrigerated.

Holly’s Tips for the Best Tuscan Pasta Salad

Cook the Pasta Until Al Dente: Don’t overcook the pasta. Cooking it until al dente helps it hold its shape and prevents the salad from becoming mushy.

Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the cooked pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and cools it down quickly before assembling the salad.

Drain the Sun-Dried Tomatoes Well: Be sure to drain the sun-dried tomatoes before adding them to the salad so excess oil doesn’t make the pasta salad overly greasy.

Use Fresh Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts slightly into the dressing and adds much more flavor than pre-shredded Parmesan.

Chill Before Serving: Don’t skip the chilling time! Allowing the salad to rest in the refrigerator gives the pasta time to absorb the dressing and lets all the flavors come together.

Toss Before Serving: Give the pasta salad a gentle toss just before serving to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Tuscan Pasta Salad ahead of time? Yes! This pasta salad is perfect for making ahead. Prepare it several hours in advance or the day before and store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. The extra time allows the flavors to come together even more.

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Bowtie pasta works beautifully, but rotini, penne, or another short pasta can also be used. Choose a pasta shape with plenty of ridges or curves to hold onto the dressing.

Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! This pasta salad is easy to customize. You can add ingredients such as cucumber, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or red onion for even more flavor and texture.

Can I use fresh mozzarella instead of Parmesan?
Yes! Fresh mozzarella would make a delicious addition or substitution. Small mozzarella pearls work especially well in pasta salads.

Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?
Fresh basil gives this salad the best flavor, but dried basil can be used if needed. Since dried herbs are more concentrated, start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.

Similar Recipes

Love easy pasta salads? Try my BLT Pasta Salad for another simple side dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings.

Looking for more easy side dishes? Browse my collection of family-favorite side dishes for BBQs, potlucks, holidays, and weeknight dinners.

Craving more fresh summer flavors? Don’t miss my collection of delicious summer recipes!

Have You Made This Tuscan Pasta Salad? 🍅

Leave a review below, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse #TuscanPastaSalad #LifeInTheLofthouse

Recipe adapted from: Crunch Creamy Sweet.com