How to Make a Summer Pasta Salad

One of my favorite Summer foods is a cold Pasta Salad. It is light enough to eat first thing in the morning, makes a great lunch on a hot day and is the perfect addition to dinner on the grill. This Summer Pasta Salad is so cheap and easy to make, I make this several times a week. Additionally, all the different colors in this salad make is a beautiful dish to take to picnics or serve to guests at your barbecue.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 Boxes of 12 ounce Tri-Colored Spiral Pasta
• 1 Package of Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
• 1 Yellow Pepper
• 1 Red Pepper
• 1 Orange Pepper
• 1 Can of Large Black Olives
• 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/8 Cup of Italian Seasoning
• 3/4 Cup of Your Favorite Hard Cheese, Shredded or Grated (Parmesan or Romano)
• Salt & Pepper to Taste (optional)

1. Prepare the Tri-Colored Spiral Pasta as per instructions on the box, cooking for the longest amount of recommended time. When the pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse with cold water.

2. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare all the other ingredients. This recipe only takes as long to prepare as it takes to boil water and cook pasta. So easy!

3. Add the black olives and tomatoes a large mixing/serving bowl.

4. Cube the peppers into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl.

5. Add the Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Italian Seasoning, Shredded Hard Cheese, Salt and Pepper and mix well. I like to add all of the seasoning ingredients and mix before I add the pasta so they aren't all trapped in the spirals of the pasta. It is easier to evenly distribute all of the flavors this way.

6. Cover the pasta salad and chill in the fridge for a few hours. Serve and Enjoy!

[FrazzledNanny]

on 6/18/2009 I love pasta salads! Thanks for the great summer recipe. I can't wait to try it. 5*