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)

Italian Seasoning Mix
bowl of Italian Seasoning Mix

Italian Seasoning Mix

Make your own dried Italian-style seasoning mix to choose the blend of herbs you like best.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
½ cup
Breakfast Burritos
Flour tortillas are filled with beans, eggs, tomato and cheese and baked for a crispy outside.

Breakfast Burritos

A quick and easy recipe for healthy a breakfast or any meal. Easy to customize however you like!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 Burritos
Easy Cheesy Enchiladas
Baking dish of enchiladas served with avocado, lettuce and cheese down the center.

Easy Cheesy Enchiladas

Try this simple comfort meal that is quick and easy to make.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 enchiladas
Salsa Roja
Bowl of textured tomato salsa.

Salsa Roja

This fresh and spicy red salsa can be used with a variety of dishes including tacos and enchiladas and for dipping most anything.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cups
Salsa Verde
Bowl of green textured salsa.

Salsa Verde

This delicious green salsa uses tomatillos and green peppers to make a sauce that can be used with a variety of dishes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Coconut Chicken Salad
Plate of shredded chicken with vegetables and coconut flakes served next to rice.

Coconut Chicken Salad

This simple chicken salad is our version of chicken kelaguen, a favorite recipe from Micronesia. Enjoy the blend of crisp vegetables, chicken, coconut, hot peppers and fresh lemon. Excellent the next day, too!
Prepare:
20 to 30 minutes
Makes:
5 cups