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)

Veggie Skillet Eggs
Pan of vegetable and egg mix topped with tomato slices.

Veggie Skillet Eggs

Quick and healthy breakfast packed with veggies and cheddar cheese.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
8 wedges
Salmon Salad Mix
Creamy salmon mix on lettuce in a bowl.

Salmon Salad Mix

A delicious and vitamin-packed alternative to tuna salad, this salmon salad is made with tangy pickles, low-fat yogurt and a bit of creamy mayonnaise.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cup
Whole-Wheat Blueberry Muffins
Plate of fluffy blueberry muffins.

Whole-Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Perfect kid-approved, make-ahead breakfast or snack with fresh or frozen berries.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
12 muffins
Refried Bean Soup
Medium bowl of thick Refried Bean Soup.

Refried Bean Soup

Canned beans and tomatoes make this tasty soup so quick and easy to prepare.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Sunshine Roll-Ups
Platter of tortillas filled with lettuce, chicken and oranges.

Sunshine Roll-Ups

A delicious chicken salad combined with sweet oranges and wrapped inside a whole wheat tortilla with fresh greens.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 half roll-ups
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt
Footed dessert glasses with a creamy pink blend.

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt

A kid-approved, 3-ingredient treat that only takes a few minutes to make!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 ½ Cups