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...
Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
Roasted snap peas with savory soy make this 5 ingredient recipe a tasty and satisfying side dish or snack.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Tofu "Egg" Salad
Tofu "Egg" Salad
A great make-ahead tofu lunch recipe with crunchy celery and a creamy dressing.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup
Jollof Rice
Jollof Rice
This flavorful variation of a West African favorite includes brown rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, broth and seasonings. Thanks to the OSU Extension African Heritage Work Group for this recipe.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
55 to 60 minutes
Makes:
8 to 9 cups
Succotash
Succotash
Combine sweet corn and tender lima beans with okra and tomato to make the perfect side dish of summer or any time of the year. Succotash is a blend of indigenous and African Heritage foods and we thank those who have shared this recipe with Food Hero.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 to 45 minutes
Makes:
5 ½ cups
Ham and Vegetable Chowder
Ham and Vegetable Chowder
A hearty and comforting soup that is perfect for the cold weather.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Cranberry Applesauce
Cranberry Applesauce
A new way to enjoy applesauce that is bright, flavorful and kid-approved.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 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!