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)

Refrigerator Pickled Cucumbers
Sliced cucumbers in mason jars with pickling brine.

Refrigerator Pickled Cucumbers

Make your own crispy pickles at home with this simple recipe.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 pint
Magical Fruit Salad
Footed glass dish with a creamy fruit salad. 

Magical Fruit Salad

This 3-ingredient fruit salad is a fun and delicious way to add more fruit to your day!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Dried Bananas
Small bowls of sliced dried banana.

Dried Bananas

A simple recipe that is full of flavor and perfect for snacking!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
1 dried banana
Quick Tomato Salsa
Medium bowl of diced tomato salsa with cilantro.

Quick Tomato Salsa

Canned tomatoes and fresh herbs make a quick and flavorful salsa.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Roasted Vegetables
Plate of roasted thin whole carrots and brussels sprouts.

Roasted Vegetables

Roast your favorite vegetables with this simple recipe.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
1 cup
Orange Delight
Footed glass filled with a frothy orange juice drink.

Orange Delight

A cool and refreshing drink that is perfect a hot day.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
5 cups