Great make ahead-meal with fresh veggies, Italian herbs and a tangy dressing.
Tomato Pasta Salad
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
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
- Combine the cooked pasta, tomatoes, broccoli and black olives together in a bowl.
- Add the herbs, cheese and salad dressing. Stir together and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- 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.
You might also like...
Cucumber Yogurt Dip
Cucumber Yogurt Dip
Quick and flavorful dip with Greek yogurt, mint and garlic. Perfect for snacks and party appetizers!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 ¼ cup
Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Vegetables
Stuffed Peppers with Turkey and Vegetables
Colorful bell peppers filled with ground turkey, fresh vegetables and delicious Italian flavors.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
90 minutes
Makes:
6 Pepper Halves
Potato Salad
Potato Salad
A creamy potato salad with tangy mustard and crunchy celery. Perfect potluck or summer BBQ dish.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Veggie Quesadillas with Cilantro Yogurt Dip
Veggie Quesadillas with Cilantro Yogurt Dip
Kid-approved recipe that's quick to make and full of flavor.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
12 quesadillas
Broccoli and Everything Salad
Broccoli and Everything Salad
Fresh vegetables and your choice of protein combined with a creamy dressing. You'll love it as a side or on its own!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 Cups
Braised Radishes
Braised Radishes
Warm and tender radishes with a mellow flavor and a hint of sweetness.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
3 cups


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!