Tomato Corn Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Fresh tomatoes and sweet corn combine with pasta and herbs for a crisp, chilled dish ideal for warm days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cooked corn kernels (fresh or thawed frozen)
04 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
05 - ¼ cup finely diced red bell pepper

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Finish & Garnish

12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley
13 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente following package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, mix cherry tomatoes, corn, diced red onion, and red bell pepper together.
03 - Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetables, pour dressing over, and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Fold in fresh basil or parsley and crumbled feta cheese if desired.
06 - Spoon mixture into individual cups, ensuring even ingredient distribution.
07 - Refrigerate the cups for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • You can prep everything ahead and the flavors only get better after chilling, so it’s perfect for hands-off hosting.
  • Even picky eaters love these because each little cup becomes a mini rainbow scoop—there’s something for everyone.
02 -
  • If you don’t fully drain the pasta after rinsing, the salad turns watery at the bottom of your cups.
  • Tasting the salad after it chills is key—some flavors bloom in the cold while others fade, so add that last sprinkle of salt only at the end.
03 -
  • Season pasta water more generously than you think—the flavor lingers in the salad.
  • A little extra mustard in the dressing gives tangy backbone and stops the oil from separating.
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