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...
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti Squash
Learn how to bake or microwave spaghetti squash, then top with your favorite sauces or seasonings!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth
Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth
Use leftover veggie scraps to make a delicious broth to use in soups or cooking beans and grains!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Makes:
6 to 12 cups
Pineapple Carrot Protein Smoothie
Pineapple Carrot Protein Smoothie
Enjoy this high-protein smoothie for a quick meal or to re-fuel after exercise. Make it your own with different fruits and vegetables.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cups
Banana Oatmeal Bread
Banana Oatmeal Bread
A moist and healthy banana bread that is perfect any time of day.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 to 50 minutes
Makes:
12 slices
Creole Seasoning
Creole Seasoning
Add savory flavor to your favorite vegetables, grains, meats, fish, seafood, poultry, soups and stews!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
about ½ cup
Fish Stew
Fish Stew
This stew boasts a flavorful broth to complement your favorite white fish. Serve with whole grain bread for a satisfying meal.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
45 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!