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...
Grape and Cucumber Salad
Grape and Cucumber Salad
A unique and delicious combination of grapes and cucumber, with a homemade vinegar dressing.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 Cups
Pasta Ratatouille
Pasta Ratatouille
Fresh summer veggies and herbs make the perfect topping for hearty pasta.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
9 cups
Strawberry Cucumber Salad
Strawberry Cucumber Salad
A refreshing sweet and savory salad with sliced strawberries, crisp cucumbers and honey mustard dressing.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 Cups
Black Bean Brownies (without flour)
Black Bean Brownies (without flour)
Black beans are the special ingredient in these moist and not-too-sweet brownies.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
16 pieces
Pomegranate Smoothie
Pomegranate Smoothie
This beautiful smoothie combines sparkling pomegranate seeds with other fruits and vegetables for a nutritious drink.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Quick Chili
Quick Chili
With 5 ingredients and 30 minutes, you will have a hearty and satisfying chili. Add your favorite veggies and toppings.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 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!