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)

Eggplant Omelet (Tortang Talong)
Plate of pan-fried eggplant omelet served with rice.

Eggplant Omelet (Tortang Talong)

A delicious Filipino dish of baked eggplant dipped in egg and cooked in a skillet. Try it for any meal!
Prepare:
20 to 30 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 servings
Potato Wedges
Plate of golden baked potato slices.

Potato Wedges

Seasoned baked potato wedges with a crispy outside and soft inside.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
4 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
Garden Herbal Tea
Mugs of water infused with herbs and orange peels.

Garden Herbal Tea

A quick and easy way to enjoy cold or warm tea using whatever herbs you like.
Prepare:
10 to 15 minutes
Makes:
1 cup
Yogurt Parfait
Glass cups with layers of yogurt, banana and granola.

Yogurt Parfait

A quick and healthy meal with yogurt, banana and granola.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Southern Green Beans
Bowl of green beans with ham and onions.

Southern Green Beans

Fresh and tender green beans and ham are the perfect combo in this recipe that is ready in 30 minutes or less.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups