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...
Black-Eyed Peas and Quinoa Salad
Black-Eyed Peas and Quinoa Salad
Enjoy this main dish or side salad that is full of flavor, color, texture and nutrients.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
7 cups
Atole with Oats
Atole with Oats
If you like oatmeal and cinnamon, try this variation of a traditional Mexican warm drink.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
15 to 20 minutes
Makes:
2 servings
North African Spice Mix
North African Spice Mix
A warm and fragrant blend of dried herbs and spices for rubbing on proteins and vegetables, and for seasoning soups, stews and marinades.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
10 Tablespoons
Spinach with Garbanzo Beans
Spinach with Garbanzo Beans
Garlicky, tender garbanzo beans sauteed with spinach for a warm and delicious meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Glazed Carrots and Snow Peas
Glazed Carrots and Snow Peas
Bright spring veggies with a warm brown sugar glaze.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Black Bean Brownies (without flour)
Black Bean Brownies (without flour)
Black beans are the special ingredient in these moist and not-too-sweet brownies.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
16 pieces
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!