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Heirloom Tomato Herb Pasta Salad

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Heirloom Tomato Herb Pasta Salad Romulo Yanes
  • Active Time

    15 min

  • Total Time

    45 min

Spontaneity is the key to this pasta salad; it's not something you can make ahead and chill. The main ingredients can be harvested from a backyard plot or balcony pot, or simply be a reward for your produce-shopping prowess at the farmers market.

Ingredients

Makes 6 to 8 servings

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup crème fraîche
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
2 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot (from 1 medium)
1 pound fusilli or other short spiral pasta
3/4 cup chopped mixed herbs such as basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, and tarragon
  1. Step 1

    Whisk together oil, crème fraîche, vinegar, sugar (if using), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Coarsely chop tomatoes and toss with shallot and dressing. Marinate until ready to use, at least 10 minutes.

    Step 2

    While tomatoes stand, cook fusilli in a pasta pot of well-salted boiling water until al dente. Drain in a colander and immediately add to tomato mixture, tossing to combine. Cool to warm or room temperature (do not chill), tossing occasionally, then stir in herbs.

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Reviews (20)

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  • Really delicious and easy for weeknight meal. I added feta cheese to the mix and it made it much better, I also added garlic because why not!

    • Ladia

    • New York City

    • 8/30/2022

  • My crew all loved it, kids included. I used basil, oreganao, parsley and a little dill. Like other reviewers, I also used full fat greek yoghurt.

    • stephaniebeckner

    • Alexandria, VA

    • 3/31/2018

  • Not that great

    • Anonymous

    • 9/1/2017

  • This was yummy and easy! I used organic plain Greek yogurt instead of creme fraiche, used seasoned wine vinegar, half a red onion, and a handful of dandelions with a squirt of basil paste, instead of listed herbs. Added herb & olive oil marinated mini mozzarella and grilled Tofurkey on top. It was great - will make again!

    • gellygarcia

    • Salinas, CA

    • 9/8/2012

  • This was a great weeknight meal. My mods: Swapped creme fraiche for one whole single-serve container greek yogurt Used the same amount of dressing with about 3/4 pound of pasta Ample fresh herbs Used romas (cheaper) and broiled them with salt and olive oil while the pasta was cooking and I was prepping, roughly 20 minutes The sweetness of the broiled tomatoes really added, and I am glad that I had ample dressing to fully coat the pasta. Could also be made with quinoa or the like. It was simple and fresh and very tasty.

    • lorider126

    • Denver, CO

    • 6/19/2012

  • I only gave this recipe two forks because it was good but nothing all that special. I've grown accustomed to cooking really great recipes that I find on Epicurious and this just wasn't a home-run. I also found the sauce a little runny and didn't stick to the pasta very well. I will say, though, that the flavours are very good and this is a nice, light, fresh-tasting pasta best served in spring or summer.

    • cdibella

    • Toronto

    • 1/7/2012

  • Wonderfully fresh! You really can't go wrong with this recipe. Just be sure not to overcook the pasta and I would increase the ratio of tomatoes to pasta.

    • Zyanyakb

    • Seattle, WA

    • 7/31/2011

  • I thought this was quite good, and a ncie showcase for ripe heirlooms. I subbed greek yogurt for the creme fraiche, the only fresh herb I had was basil, and I added a little fresh mozarella. Yum.

    • Anonymous

    • SF

    • 9/22/2010

  • This recipe was a little on the bland side. I used heirloom tomatoes too and followed the recipe exactly. It was just okay in my opinion. Won't be going in my recipe box.

    • Sancal35

    • Oceanside, CA

    • 7/18/2010

  • This is a great, easy summer salad. Made it for an outdoor buffet for 10 people and everyone loved it. I mixed up a bunch of herbs that were available at the market and also included one they called verugula which gave it a little bite.

    • juchelcz

    • los angeles

    • 7/17/2010

  • I love to make this for a light, easy summer meal. Fresh, ultra-ripe heirloom tomatoes are the key to this dish. I double the dressing and add sauteed bay scallops as a protein to make this dish more substantial.

    • thesockhea

    • Baltimore, MD

    • 7/12/2010

  • I made this for visiting family - who are very selective with their food. I used sour cream instead of creme frais - wonderful ! There were no leftovers !

    • Anonymous

    • Gulf Breeze, FL

    • 6/27/2010

  • This was a really fresh (fraiche?) dish, which is very versatile and would work with many different mains as a side course. Got to go with those heirlooms, though -- it would be pretty ordinary with regular tomatoes.

    • zepcom

    • Toronto, Ontario

    • 6/26/2010

  • This is wonderful! Taking advice from other reviewers, I added more basil and fresh buffalo mozzarella. Would definitely add this to my "go to" list of fast, easy and delicious weeknight dinners!

    • mowglivt

    • Philadelphia, PA

    • 6/22/2010

  • Very light and fresh, enjoyed by the whole family. Used roma tomatoes (heirloom were just too expensive), basil and sour cream; the flavor was nice.

    • Anonymous

    • 10/22/2009

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