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...
Prepare:
5 to 10 minutes
Cook:
45 to 60 minutes
Makes:
4 Servings
Stovetop Amaranth
Stovetop Amaranth
Creamy and slightly nutty. Add fruit, honey and your favorite spices for a delicious breakfast.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
30 to 35 minutes
Makes:
about 2 ½ cups
Fruit Yogurt Popsicles
Fruit Yogurt Popsicles
Make a quick and tasty frozen treat that kids of all ages will love!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
9 popsicles
Garbanzo Bean and Vegetable Salad
Garbanzo Bean and Vegetable Salad
This colorful salad comes together fast for a lunch or a side to share with others.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
8 cups
Bell Pepper Smoothie
Bell Pepper Smoothie
This kid-approved smoothie combines veggies with sweet berries and pineapple. A tasty way to add more veggies to your meals!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Barley Summer Salad
Barley Summer Salad
Make-ahead fresh and flavorful salad that is hearty and filling.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
8 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!