What Is Bruschetta Pasta
When most of us think of bruschetta we think of the appetizer. The classic grilled bread topped with fresh diced tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil. Now, take that iconic appetizer, replace the bread with perfectly cooked pasta, and toss it all together with some grated parmesan cheese! That my friends is bruschetta pasta! It’s fresh, full of layered flavor, and a garlic lover’s delight! The sauce needs no cooking at all, so all you have to do is chop the veg, boil the pasta, and toss to combine. It doesn’t get much simpler than that! Like my Creamy Avocado and Spinach Pasta and my Pasta alla Vodka, it’s the perfect pasta dish for when you need a quick healthy dinner.
Pasta – I used bowtie pasta (farfalle), but any shape pasta will work such as penne, rigatoni, or even spaghetti. Fresh tomatoes – Use the best quality fresh ripe tomatoes you can find. I used Roma tomatoes, but you can also use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes as well. Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is the best choice for the most flavorful bruschetta. Jarred minced garlic sometimes has an odd sour taste unless it’s just been recently opened. Onion – I used white onion, but any type of onion you have on hand is fine. Fresh Basil – It’s gotta be fresh for this recipe! Dried basil just won’t do the dish justice. Parmesan Cheese – Adds a lovely salty cheesy taste to any pasta dish. And the better quality parmesan you choose like Reggiano is going to elevate the dish even more. Olive Oil– You want to use extra virgin olive oil. Ideally, Italian and of decent quality. Salt – No recipe would be complete without a touch of salt to season the ingredients and bring out the flavors.
What Does It Mean To Cook Pasta Al Dente?
Pasta is best when cooked “al dente” which is when it’s tender but still firm to the bite. To do this, I always suggest checking the doneness of the pasta about 2 minutes before the package directions indicate.
What Types Of Pasta Can I Use?
I used bowtie pasta and love how the bits of garlic fall into the curves of it, which means a hit of beautiful fresh garlicky flavor with each bite. I also just think it looks really pretty with this dish. But you can use any shape of pasta you like including penne, rotini, and even noodles like spaghetti or linguine. It’s totally up to you and they are all delicious choices.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free or Vegan?
Yes! You can make it either or both! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make the recipe gluten-free. And to make it vegan, just omit the cheese or substitute it with a vegan parmesan cheese option.
Can I Add Meat?
Yes, of course! This is a vegetarian dish, but bruschetta pasta with chicken or shrimp is fantastic too.
Leftovers
Bruschetta pasta will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To reheat, simply mix it with a few tablespoons of water to add some moisture, and then pop it in the microwave or in a pan for a few minutes at a medium temperature. This pasta dish is also amazing, maybe even better the next day! And yummy cold too! Which makes leftover bruschetta pasta perfect for lunch or served as a side.
Other Delicious Pasta Recipes To Try
Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta Rotini Fiorentina Salmon Alfredo Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles) Greek Chicken Pasta Broccoli Pasta Pasta alla Norma
