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)

Hearty Chicken and Homemade Noodle Soup
Bowl of chicken noodle soup served with crackers.

Hearty Chicken and Homemade Noodle Soup

Make your own noodles for this comforting soup.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Greens with Carrots
Plate of kale and carrot strips with dressing.

Greens with Carrots

A fresh and crunchy salad using your favorite greens.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Vegetarian Ceviche
Bowl of colorful diced vegetables with dressing.

Vegetarian Ceviche

This unique take on ceviche is full of fresh veggies.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Banana Berry Smoothie
Creamy pink banana-raspberry smoothie is shown in a serving glass.

Banana Berry Smoothie

An on-the-go breakfast or snack made with creamy banana, sweet berries and refreshing orange juice!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Tofu Scramble
Bowls of tofu and spinach with melted cheese.

Tofu Scramble

Serve this easy tofu scramble with fruit and whole-grain toast for a satisfying and balanced meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
5 Cups
Great Gazpacho Soup
Small bowl of tomato based chunky vegetable soup.

Great Gazpacho Soup

Homemade tomato-based chilled soup with hints of lemon and garlic.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups