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)

Southwestern Stuffed Potatoes
Platter of potatoes stuffed with beans, corn, salsa and sprinkled with melted cheese.

Southwestern Stuffed Potatoes

Potatoes are topped with southwest-style toppings for a simple and tasty microwave meal.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 potato halves
Cherry Salad
Photo of Cherry Salad

Cherry Salad

Fresh fruit combined with orange juice and coconut for the perfect side dish or snack.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Rice with Black Beans and Sausage
Large dish of a simple rice, sausage and vegetable mix.

Rice with Black Beans and Sausage

A comforting dish of filling grains, tender beans and spicy sausage.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Cups
Cucumber, Pineapple and Serrano Chile Salad
bowl of salad

Cucumber, Pineapple and Serrano Chile Salad

This refreshing salad will cool you down on a hot day. Perfect for a summer picnic or bbq.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad
Bowl of vegetables with bulgur and dressing.

Tabouli Bulgur Wheat Salad

Tasty make-ahead salad with hearty whole grains, fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing.
Prepare:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Crustless Pumpkin Pie
Moist slice of pumpkin pie.

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

Easy one-bowl treat that is creamy, sweet and full of fall spice.
Prepare:
0
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
8 Slices