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)

Spinach and Chicken Italian
Baking dish with chicken, spinach, sauce and cheese.

Spinach and Chicken Italian

Tender chicken breast topped with spinach, tomato sauce and creamy cheese, then baked for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
7 cups
Fresh Veggie Pizza
Platter of eight English muffins layered with a creamy sauce and vegetable topping.

Fresh Veggie Pizza

A fun version of pizza on English muffins, with cream cheese, fresh veggies and tangy parmesan. A great meal to make with the whole family!
Prepare:
10 to 15 minutes
Makes:
8 muffin halves
Lemon Dill Brussels Sprouts
Plate of brussels sprouts with a creamy yogurt dressing.

Lemon Dill Brussels Sprouts

Sauteed Brussels sprouts with a creamy lemon and dill sauce.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Cups
Very Berry Muesli (‘mew-slee’)
Bowl of oatmeal and yogurt topped with fruit and walnuts.

Very Berry Muesli (‘mew-slee’)

Quick and healthy breakfast with hearty oats and creamy yogurt, then topped with crunchy walnuts.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Perfect Hard-Cooked Eggs
Plate of hard-cooked egg halves.

Perfect Hard-Cooked Eggs

Make the perfect hard-cooked eggs with this recipe. Keep coked eggs on hand for salads, sandwiches or eating alone as a protein-rich snack.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 Servings
Microwave Steamed Fish
Bowls with fish filets served with green beans and a creamy sauce.

Microwave Steamed Fish

Any type of white fish cooks to flaky, moist and fork-tender in the microwave. A quick and low-mess way to prepare fish for rice bowls, tacos and salads.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
3 servings