Skip to main content

Tomato Pasta Salad

Great make ahead-meal with fresh veggies, Italian herbs and a tangy dressing.
Kid friendly
Bowls of colorful spiral pasta with olives and broccoli.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

4 cups cooked rotini pasta
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup chopped broccoli
¼ cup sliced black olives
2 teaspoons dry Italian herbs
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces low-fat Italian salad dressing (about 1 cup)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, broccoli and black olives together in a bowl.
  4. Add the herbs, cheese and salad dressing. Stir together and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.



    Photo and recipe adapted from Nutrition Matters.

Notes

  • Try adding other vegetables such as corn, cucumber and avocado.
  • Try whole-wheat pasta.
  • Low-fat vinaigrette salad dressing also works in this recipe.

Comments

This Tomato Pasta Salad recipe makes a perfect quick and easy side dish! I have only gotten positive reviews on the flavor and the leftovers keep well in the fridge if you are making it the day before the event. 

I seem to always have some kind of noodle at home and some Italian dressing somewhere in my fridge....thus this recipe is a super accessible one for me!  For the rest of the ingredients, I add what I have on hand.  This is one of my go-to packed lunches I make for myself -- for a couple of days at a time.

We substituted 2 cups of asparagus instead of the broccoli, and high school students loved it! 

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Strawberry Cucumber Salad
Strawberry and cucumber slices coated with poppy seed dressing.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad

A refreshing sweet and savory salad with sliced strawberries, crisp cucumbers and honey mustard dressing.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie
Photo of Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie

Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie

Enjoy a fresh taste of spring any time of year with this smoothie.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Sautéed Leeks and Apples
 Bowl of tender leeks and red apples.

Sautéed Leeks and Apples

A sweet and savory side dish perfect for fall.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Pickled Cabbage Slaw
Shallow bowl of pickled cabbage and sliced vegetables.

Pickled Cabbage Slaw

Enjoy with pupusas, tacos, quesadillas or grilled fish.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Vegetable and Rice Skillet Meal
Plate of rice and bean mix with vegetables.

Vegetable and Rice Skillet Meal

Warm spices of cumin, turmeric and ginger combined with hearty potatoes and fresh veggies.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Tropical Smoothie
Glass filled with a thick smoothie.

Tropical Smoothie

A cold and refreshing drink with sweet pineapple and creamy banana.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
5 cups