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)

Panama’s Tropical Bounty Smoothie
glass of Panama's Tropical Bounty Smoothie

Panama’s Tropical Bounty Smoothie

Enjoy a creamy and refreshing smoothie using mango, banana, lime juice and the milk of your choice.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
bottle of viniagrette and vegetable dishes

Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Dress your winter greens and roasted vegetables with this fresh and colorful dressing.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3/4 cup
Roasted Whole Chicken
whole roasted chicken on platter

Roasted Whole Chicken

Enjoy easy and flavorful roasted chicken for a meal and use the tender meat to prep for other recipes.
Prepare:
5 to 10 minutes
Cook:
1 ½ hours
Makes:
4 to 6 cups cooked chicken
Overnight Oats for One
Ceramic bowl with creamy oatmeal topped with raspberries and blueberries.

Overnight Oats for One

Quick and easy make-ahead breakfast recipe for one person. Change it up with your favorite yogurt and fruit.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 serving
Fabulous Fig Bars
Oat bars with a fig center on a serving platter.

Fabulous Fig Bars

Sweet and buttery treat with crunchy walnuts and a dash of citrus. For breakfast, snack or on-the-go!
Prepare:
45 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
24 bars (about 2.5 x 2 inches)
Fish and Spinach Bake
Fish filet on a spinach bed with a layer of tomato and green onion.

Fish and Spinach Bake

Healthy baked fish with fresh and frozen veggies and cajun spices.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Servings