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)

Fruit and Nut Slaw
Colorful, crunchy vegetable mix in a large bowl.

Fruit and Nut Slaw

This fresh salad is the perfect combination of fresh veggies and sweet and savory toppings.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Drinkable Yogurt
Sundae glass of yogurt and orange juice mix.

Drinkable Yogurt

A simple 2-ingredient snack made with yogurt and your favorite fruit juice.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup
Apple Bars
Baked Apple Bars with oatmeal crumble on top are displayed on a platter.

Apple Bars

A comforting apple bar with an easy crust, spiced apple filling and crumble topping.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
12 bars
Glazed Squash
Baked crescent shaped acorn squash slices sprinkled with seasoning.

Glazed Squash

A simple, 3-ingredient recipe for any type of winter squash.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
One-Pan Chicken Alfredo
Creamy pasta and broccoli in a skillet.

One-Pan Chicken Alfredo

A delicious one-pan pasta dish with the perfect blend of creamy cheese sauce, veggies and chicken.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
7 Cups
Salsa Chicken
Large bowl of shredded chicken covered in salsa and served over rice.

Salsa Chicken

Shredded chicken has never been easier to prepare and have on hand. Make an endless number of go-to meals from two simple ingredients and a slow cooker.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
6 to 8 hours
Makes:
6 cups