Rigatoni Pasta Salad with Tomato Sauce, Black Olives, and Fresh Basil
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
🍅 For the Pasta Salad
12 oz rigatoni pasta
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup whole black olives, pitted and sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
🍅 For the Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce (or marinara sauce for more flavor)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Cook the Rigatoni
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions (usually 10–12 minutes) until al dente.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down, setting it aside.
2. Make the Tomato Sauce
In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add the tomato sauce, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Simmer for 5–7 minutes to let the flavors meld together, then remove from heat.
3. Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rigatoni, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, and torn basil leaves.
Pour the tomato sauce over the salad and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.
Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
4. Serve and Garnish
Transfer the rigatoni pasta salad to a slightly scratched metal mixing bowl, using tongs for a rustic touch.
For an authentic look, let a few sauce splatters fall on the edge of the bowl.
Top with a few fresh basil leaves for garnish and serve.
Serve It Like the Scene
To mimic the cozy, home-cooked vibe, place the pasta salad on a worn wooden kitchen counter with soft natural daylight coming from a nearby window.
Let the vibrant colors of the red tomatoes, green basil, and golden pasta pop against the glossy tomato sauce.
For authenticity, show a jar of olives with a drip, a folded dish towel with a faint stain, and a cutting board with tomato juice smudges in the background.
This hearty, flavorful pasta salad is the perfect balance of tangy tomato sauce, fresh vegetables, and rich olive flavor. Enjoy!