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)

Pico de Gallo
Small bowl of diced tomato-based salsa.

Pico de Gallo

This salsa combines the fresh flavors of veggies, herbs and tangy citrus for the perfect dip or topper for a variety of dishes.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Pomegranate Smoothie
glasses of Pomegranate Smoothie

Pomegranate Smoothie

This beautiful smoothie combines sparkling pomegranate seeds with other fruits and vegetables for a nutritious drink.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Parmesan Peas
Platter of peas and parmesan with a lemon slice.

Parmesan Peas

A quick and easy recipe of buttery peas with creamy parmesan and a hint of lemon. Ready in minutes!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Cucumber Flavored Water
Glasses of ice water with thin slices of cucumber.

Cucumber Flavored Water

Homemade flavored water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Fish Tacos
Platter of corn tortillas with creamy slaw and fish filling served with lime wedges.

Fish Tacos

30-minute tacos with a creamy slaw, tangy lime and a hint of cayenne.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 tacos
Eggplant Dip
Eggplant dip garnished with parsley served with a vegetable and cracker plate.

Eggplant Dip

Try this easy eggplant recipe that everyone will love. It's kid-approved!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ Cups