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)

Master Mix Pancakes
Plate of fluffy pancakes shown with a mixing bowl filled with the Master Mix.

Master Mix Pancakes

A quick and easy pancake recipe using Food Hero's Master Mix Recipe, or other all-in-one baking mixes.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
12 pancakes
Beet and Carrot Salad
Sliced carrots and beets are mixed with a light dressing and displayed in a salad bowl.

Beet and Carrot Salad

Quick and simple to make, this colorful beet and carrot salad makes the perfect side dish.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Smashed Garbanzo Bean Salad
Bread topped with Smashed Garbanzo Bean Salad

Smashed Garbanzo Bean Salad

Garbanzo beans and crunchy vegetables make a delicious sandwich filling or chunky dip.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Pomegranate Smoothie
glasses of Pomegranate Smoothie

Pomegranate Smoothie

This beautiful smoothie combines sparkling pomegranate seeds with other fruits and vegetables for a nutritious drink.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Ham and Vegetable Chowder
Small bowls of potato and ham soup with shredded cheese.

Ham and Vegetable Chowder

A hearty and comforting soup that is perfect for the cold weather.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Baked Cauliflower Tots
Baked rounds of chopped cauliflower and cheese are shown on a platter.

Baked Cauliflower Tots

Cauliflower Tots are cheesy and kid-approved! They are sure to become your favorite side dish or snack.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
15 tots
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.