Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad

The Creamy Avocado & Tomato Bowtie Pasta Medley is a vibrant, refreshing dish perfect for warm days and quick lunches. With a balance of juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and fresh basil, it’s tossed with a tangy vinaigrette that enhances every bite. This pasta salad is light, vegetarian, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor.

Whether you’re prepping for a picnic, potluck, or weekday lunch, this recipe delivers both on taste and convenience. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal cooking, it’s an ideal go-to for fresh, feel-good meals. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a deliciously satisfying dish that tastes like sunshine in every forkful.

Full Recipe

Ingredients:

8 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: Crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan

Directions:

Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and basil.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss to combine.
If desired, top with crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan before serving.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15–20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Introduction to Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad

Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that’s perfect for warm weather dining or as a light yet satisfying meal any time of year. Combining juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, aromatic basil, and a simple vinaigrette, this salad offers a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile with a creamy twist. The addition of pasta, especially a fun shape like farfalle (bowtie), turns what might be a simple side into a full, hearty dish that stands on its own.

This salad isn’t just a pretty dish—it’s loaded with nutrients, incredibly easy to make, and versatile enough to serve at potlucks, picnics, lunchboxes, or family dinners. It’s also vegetarian, with options to make it vegan or dairy-inclusive depending on your preferences. Its simplicity and flavor make it a staple in many households, especially during the spring and summer months.

Why This Salad Works

This recipe brings together the best of several worlds: the freshness of a garden salad, the heartiness of pasta, and the creamy richness of avocado. The balance between creamy and tangy is one of the key reasons this salad is so satisfying. The Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar in the dressing add brightness that cuts through the avocado’s smooth texture. Meanwhile, cherry tomatoes offer natural sweetness and acidity, giving the salad a well-rounded flavor.

Additionally, this dish is highly adaptable. You can easily toss in grilled chicken for extra protein, mix in mozzarella pearls for added richness, or add cucumbers and olives for a more Mediterranean flair. The flavor possibilities are endless.

The Health Benefits of This Salad

This dish isn’t just delicious—it’s nourishing. The avocado provides healthy monounsaturated fats, which are great for heart health and help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant known for its potential to support skin health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

The pasta adds carbohydrates, making the salad filling and giving you a solid energy boost. Opting for whole grain or legume-based pasta can increase the fiber and protein content, making it even healthier.

Fresh basil not only adds aroma and taste but also offers antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. The olive oil-based dressing further boosts the heart-healthy fat content of this dish.

Altogether, this salad provides a good balance of macronutrients and essential micronutrients in a single, well-rounded bowl.

Ideal Occasions for Serving

Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad is an excellent choice for multiple occasions. It’s often found at summer barbecues, potlucks, and picnics because it holds up well at room temperature and can be made ahead of time. It’s also a great meal prep item—you can make a big batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy it over several days.

Thanks to its lightness, it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, seafood, or veggie skewers. It also works well as a standalone lunch or a light dinner, particularly when you want something easy that doesn’t skimp on flavor or texture.

This salad is also kid-friendly, making it a practical option for families. The fun shape of bowtie pasta can make it more appealing to young eaters, and the mild flavors are suitable for a range of palates.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

One of the best features of this salad is how well it holds up in the fridge. However, since avocado oxidizes and browns once exposed to air, you’ll want to either add it just before serving or store the salad with the avocado pit nestled in the mix to help minimize browning. A squeeze of lemon or lime can also help keep the avocado fresher for longer.

If you’re prepping the salad ahead for a few days of meals, consider storing the dressing separately and tossing it in just before eating. This helps keep the pasta from getting soggy and maintains the fresh texture of the vegetables.

You can also double the recipe for parties and events—it scales up very well without compromising flavor or texture.

Dietary Flexibility

Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad fits into many dietary lifestyles. It’s naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by leaving out optional cheese or using a plant-based alternative. For a gluten-free version, simply substitute with your favorite gluten-free pasta.

You can also adjust the ingredients to accommodate allergies or preferences. Not a fan of red onions? Swap them for green onions or shallots. Want more protein? Add chickpeas, tuna, or grilled tofu.

This flexibility makes the dish a go-to for those who want something customizable, easy, and inclusive for a variety of diets.

Flavor Enhancements and Variations

While the base recipe is delicious as is, you can enhance or change it up depending on what’s in your fridge or pantry. Here are some ideas:

Add more veggies: Cucumbers, roasted red peppers, or steamed broccoli make great additions.
Make it cheesy: Feta, mozzarella balls, or shaved Parmesan can elevate the flavor.
Add crunch: Toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or croutons provide texture contrast.
Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing.
Switch the herb: Basil is classic, but parsley, dill, or cilantro can give the salad a different personality.

This recipe truly serves as a flexible canvas for whatever you’re craving or have on hand.

Sustainability and Seasonality

Using seasonal, local ingredients can enhance both the flavor and environmental impact of this dish. Tomatoes and basil shine brightest during the summer months, and avocados are often at their peak from spring into early fall, depending on your region.

Supporting local growers and choosing organic when possible contributes to a more sustainable food system. This salad is a great way to showcase fresh produce and reduce reliance on overly processed ingredients.

Additionally, this dish can help minimize food waste. Leftover cooked pasta, avocados that are just-ripe, or tomatoes nearing their prime can all be put to good use here.

Conclusion

Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad is more than just a beautiful bowl of colors—it’s a nutrient-packed, flavor-forward, and endlessly versatile dish that caters to a wide variety of tastes and diets. It brings together the creamy richness of avocado, the sweet juiciness of cherry tomatoes, the brightness of basil, and the tang of a simple vinaigrette, all tied together with comforting pasta.

Its quick preparation and adaptability make it ideal for everyday meals, entertaining guests, or preparing ahead for the week. Whether served as a main course or a complementary side, this salad adds freshness, color, and satisfaction to any table.

For anyone looking to add a go-to salad to their cooking repertoire—one that’s both wholesome and crowd-pleasing—this recipe is a winner every time.

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