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)

Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash strands served with red sauce and grated parmesan cheese.

Spaghetti Squash

Learn how to bake or microwave spaghetti squash, then top with your favorite sauces or seasonings!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Garbanzo Bean and Vegetable Salad
bowl of bean and vegetable salad

Garbanzo Bean and Vegetable Salad

This colorful salad comes together fast for a lunch or a side to share with others.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Butternut Apple Crisp
Butternut squash and apples are topped with a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble baked to a golden brown.

Butternut Apple Crisp

Butternut squash and apples are topped with a cinnamon-spiced oat crumble for a healthy fall dessert.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Fruit Yogurt Popsicles
Fruit Yogurt Popsicle with popsicle holder

Fruit Yogurt Popsicles

Make a quick and tasty frozen treat that kids of all ages will love!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
9 popsicles
Sautéed Corn and Onion
Bowl of sauteed corn and small onion pieces.

Sautéed Corn and Onion

A buttery, herby side dish perfect for a pot luck summer BBQ or as part of any meal.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Veggie Omelet in a Mug
Egg omelet topped with cheese in a mug.

Veggie Omelet in a Mug

A quick and easy recipe that uses the microwave to make a healthy breakfast.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
3 minutes
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.