Try this vegan bruschetta pasta recipe for a quick, easy dinner with a few ingredients in under 15 minutes.
I love pasta and bruschetta, so I combined two of my favorite recipes in one delicious bowl. With a few simple ingredients, this bruschetta pasta recipe has incredible flavors!
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Most people think bruschetta refers to the tomato topping on toasted bread typically served in America; however, it’s referring to the toasted bread typically served with garlic and cheese in Italy. So, I took that tomato topping and created a pasta dish reminiscent of a classic tomato bruschetta appetizer without the bread.
Bruschetta Pasta Ingredients
- Grape Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are firmer and less juicy than other varieties, which are ideal for bruschetta. Cutting the tomatoes in half helps to cook them evenly in a skillet with the other ingredients.
- Red Onion: Red onion, although strong, caramelizes and becomes sweet when cooked with the other ingredients.
- Basil: For best results, fresh basil (not dried) is best in this recipe.
- Garlic: I also prefer fresh garlic for the best taste. We love plenty of garlic and use 3 cloves for the pasta recipe.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a rich layer of flavor with only a small amount of vinegar.
- Italian Seasoning: This kitchen staple includes dried basil, dried oregano, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and dried marjoram, but several variations also feature additions like dried sage, fennel seeds, or even spices like garlic powder or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Salt and Pepper: With a pinch of salt and pepper, this simple seasoning is all you need for the perfect bruschetta pasta recipe.
- Pasta: I chose whole-grain pasta, so pick any shape and type of pasta you prefer.
- Vegan Parmesan Cheese: Vegan parmesan cheese is added to the pasta dish as a garnish and for added flavor.
Bruschetta Pasta Ingredient Substitutions
- Cherry tomatoes work well with this recipe as well.
- Substitute 1 15-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes.
- Yellow onions are similar to red onions.
- Although fresh basil is best, use half the amount of dry basil. Dry herbs are mush stronger than fresh herbs.
- Garlic powder is a substitute for fresh garlic.
- If you don't have balsamic vinegar, combine 1 part maple syrup with 4 parts red wine vinegar.
- Make your own Italian seasoning blend.
- Choose any type of pasta.
- Skip the vegan parmesan if it isn't available.
How to Make Bruschetta Pasta
- Boil a large pot of water with 2 teaspoons of salt.
- When the water is boiling, add 8 ounces of dry pasta of choice.
- Cook for the time designated on the pasta package (my pasta required 9 minutes), and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- In a second skillet, on the stove, on medium heat, saute the minced garlic and onions until the onions are translucent.
- Add the cut tomatoes and the Italian seasoning.
- Cook the tomato, garlic, and onion mixture until the tomatoes break down.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and return it to the pasta pot.
- Add the pasta water to the cooked pasta.
- Then, add the cooked tomato, onion, and garlic mixture.
- Add the 2 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
- Stir to combine.
- Add the chopped fresh basil.
Recipe Variation
- For a creamy version, blend ¼ cup of raw cashews, 2 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and ¼ cup of vegetable broth.
- Add it to the cooked pasta and other ingredients.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh herbs, like basil, can turn bitter if they are chopped too finely. Gently tear or chop the fresh herbs or overripe tomatoes, which cause bitterness.
Tomatoes offer several potential research-backed benefits, including protection from brain, heart, and gut health. The vegetable, also considered a fruit, is a solid source of nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants—namely, lycopene.
According to some studies, 51 mg of chlorine and 11 mg of sulfur in 100 gram size of tomato are vital in detoxification. We know that natural chlorine stimulates the liver and its function for filtering and detoxifying body wastes.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water and bring it to a full boil before adding the noodles to the pot of water.
- If using gluten-free pasta, I suggest rinsing the pasta to remove the film that generally covers gluten-free pasta.
- When cooking the tomato bruschetta mixture, use a small amount of vegetable broth to avoid the ingredients sticking to the skillet.
- Fresh garlic and basil are preferred for the best flavor.
- If you don't have fresh tomatoes, use a 15-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes.
Try this vegan bruschetta pasta recipe for a delicious, quick, easy dinner in under 20 minutes.
Quick and Easy Vegan Recipes
If you love this vegan bruschetta pasta recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!
📖 Recipe
Bruschetta Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta of choice
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1 ½ cups cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half
- 1 cup fresh basil chopped
- ¼ cup vegan parmesan cheese optional
Recipe Variation
- ¼ cup Raw cashews, sunflower seeds, silken tofu, or white beans (reduce water by half if using tofu or beans)
- ¼ cup vegetable broth
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water with 2 teaspoons of salt.
- When the water is boiling, add 8 ounces of dry pasta of choice.
- Cook for the time designated on the pasta package (my pasta required 9 minutes), and reserve ¼ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- In a second skillet, on the stove, on medium heat, saute the minced garlic and onions until the onions are translucent.
- Add the cut tomatoes and the Italian seasoning.
- Cook the tomato, garlic, and onion mixture until the tomatoes break down.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and return it to the pasta pot.
- Add the pasta water to the cooked pasta.
- Then, add the cooked tomato, onion, and garlic mixture.
- Add the 2 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
- Stir to combine.
- Add the chopped fresh basil.
Recipe Variation
- For a creamy version, blend ¼ cup of raw cashews, 2 Tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and ¼ cup of vegetable broth.
- Add it to the cooked pasta and other ingredients.
Video
Notes
- Always salt your pasta water and bring it to a full boil before adding the noodles to the pot of water.
- If using gluten-free pasta, I suggest rinsing the pasta to remove the film that generally covers gluten-free pasta.
- When cooking the tomato bruschetta mixture, use a small amount of vegetable broth to avoid the ingredients sticking to the skillet.
- Fresh garlic and basil are preferred for the best flavor.
- If you don't have fresh tomatoes, use a 15-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes.
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Jettaa
This looks great
Kathy Carmichael
It was really good and easy. Let me know if you enjoy the recipe.