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)

Stovetop Buckwheat
Bowls of cooked buckwheat.

Stovetop Buckwheat

This nutrient-rich grain has an earthy and slightly nutty with a chewy texture.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 to 20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes
Bowl of seasoned and mashed parsnip and potato.

Mashed Parsnips and Potatoes

Hearty, buttery root vegetables mashed with creamy yogurt and seasoned with garlic.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans
Bowl filled to the brim with baked and seasoned garbanzo beans.

Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Enjoy these protein and fiber-filled garbanzo beans as a snack, or add them to your favorite dishes for crispy texture.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Vegetarian Borscht
Bowls of vibrant red beet and vegetable soup with a dollop of sour cream and parsley.

Vegetarian Borscht

Borscht is a soup that was first made in Eastern Europe hundreds of years ago. This variation includes beets with cabbage, beans and other vegetables.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
50 minutes
Makes:
12 cups
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
Savory Turnips
Bowl of browned turnips with parsley.

Savory Turnips

Root veggies cooked in a savory broth and finished with zesty lemon and fresh herbs.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups