Food

Our Favorite Pasta Salad

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There is nothing like eating a nice cool salad to help beat the summer heat!  This pasta salad is a family favorite at our house.  Every single person in our household will eat it, which is a nice bonus!

Another thing I really like about this pasta salad is that you can adapt it to whatever your tastes are.  I put different things in all the time.  You can even change the pasta shape to your preference or whatever you have on hand.Obviously you start with pasta as the base of this pasta salad.  From there you can add in whatever veggies you like.  I pretty much always use broccoli, tomatoes and tri colored peppers.  Depending on what I have on hand, sometimes I add squash, zucchini, artichokes or  cucumber.  If I want to add a little kick to it, I will use peperoncini peppers.  The two things that really kick up the flavor in this pasta salad are feta cheese and pepperoni.  They really make this dish delicious!

I love how easy it is to put this salad together.  I usually always use a packet of Good Seasons Italian dressing mix for the dressing.  It just takes oil, vinegar and water.  While the pasta is boiling I cut my veggies up.  Once the pasta is done, I rinse it in cold water, throw my veggies in and add the dressing.  This is best if it sits overnight in the refrigerator.  I like to reserve a little of the dressing and toss it again with the remaining dressing right before I serve it.

This pasta salad is great as a side dish or even a meal.  My kids love taking it in their lunchbox.  However you serve it, I think you’ll love it!

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Pasta Salad

This cool pasta salad is a perfect addition to your next cookout!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Penne, rotini or bowtie pasta, cooked and drained
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1/2 red, yellow or orange pepper, diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 oz sliced pepperoni, halved (or mini pepperoni)
  • 1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix, prepared according to directions)

Instructions

  1. Place rinsed pasta in large bowl.
  2. Combine pasta with vegetables, cheese and pepperoni. 
  3. Toss pasta and vegetables with the dressing, reserving a little for serving.
  4. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  5. Toss chilled pasta salad with remaining dressing and serve.

 

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