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...
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Slices of cauliflower flavored with garlic and lemon, and roasted until tender and caramelized.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Makes:
6 servings
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt
A kid-approved, 3-ingredient treat that only takes a few minutes to make!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 ½ Cups
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Simple yet comforting dumplings with chicken and vegetables are ready in less than an hour!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Cups
Mix and Match Vegetable Chowder
Mix and Match Vegetable Chowder
You’ll always enjoy this hearty chowder recipe. Change it up with the ingredients and spices you have on hand.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Makes:
4 Servings
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Bulgur Pilaf
Bulgur Pilaf
A warm and comforting meal combining whole grains and savory broth to make a simple, yet tasty side dish.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 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!