Great make ahead-meal with fresh veggies, Italian herbs and a tangy dressing.
Tomato Pasta Salad
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
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
- Combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, broccoli and black olives together in a bowl.
- Add the herbs, cheese and salad dressing. Stir together and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- 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.
You might also like...
Turmeric Lentils and Pasta
Turmeric Lentils and Pasta
A delicious recipe of tender spiced lentils and orzo pasta.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Maple Glazed Turnips
Maple Glazed Turnips
A warm and flavorful dish that combines maple and cinnamon with hearty root vegetables.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Black Bean Soup
Black Bean Soup
A simple soup with black beans, tomatoes, herbs and a hint of lime. One-pot meal ready in an hour!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
12 cups
Fruity French Toast Casserole
Fruity French Toast Casserole
A baked version of French toast with your favorite fruit. Ready in about an hour!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
8 Cups
Chili Cheese Hominy
Chili Cheese Hominy
A flavorful, cheesy recipe with a little kick of spice! Ready in about 30 minutes!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal
Apple Spice Baked Oatmeal
This make-ahead baked oatmeal breakfast recipe with fruit and whole grains is kid approved!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
9 Squares (2.5 inches x 2.5 inches)


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!