What type of pasta is best for pasta salad?

Short pasta shapes like penne or farfalle work well for salads.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, it's even better when chilled for a few hours before serving.

Simply omit cheese and use a vegan dressing option.

Pasta

A refreshing pasta salad with ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a light vinaigrette dressing.

Per 100 g

120 kcal

1 cup

180 kcal

(150 g)

Protein	Carbs	Fat
4 g / 100g	19 g / 100g	3 g / 100g

Where the calories come from

Protein 13% · Carbs 64% · Fat 23%

Share of energy: 4 kcal per gram of protein and carbs, 9 kcal per gram of fat.

1 cup (150 g, 180 kcal) is 9% of a 2,000 kcal day. 2,000 kcal is the reference day used on nutrition labels, not a personal target.
Burning 1 cup takes about 44 min of brisk walking. Estimate for a 70 kg adult walking briskly (about 4 kcal a minute).

Tomato Basil Pasta Salad is number 1 of 6 by calories per 100 g, lowest first. The similar foods average 238 kcal per 100 g.

Food	kcal / 100 g	Protein / 100 g
Tomato Basil Pasta Salad	120	4 g
Roasted Garlic and Herb Pasta	150	5 g
Garlic Mushroom Pasta	210	6 g
Creamy Pesto Pasta	220	8 g
Thai Green Curry Pasta	290	8 g
Spinach Artichoke Pasta	320	9 g

Nutrition data updated June 13, 2026.

8/10

This dish is low in calories and full of flavor, making it a great choice for weight management.

What type of pasta is best for pasta salad?: Short pasta shapes like penne or farfalle work well for salads.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?: Yes, it's even better when chilled for a few hours before serving.
How can I make it vegan?: Simply omit cheese and use a vegan dressing option.

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