Favorite Italian Pasta Salad

Total Time: 42 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 12 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 (1 lb) box tri colored pasta
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) package pepperoni, sliced then chopped
• 1/2 green pepper, sliced
• 1/2 red pepper, sliced
• 1 cucumber, chopped & seeds removed
• 1 (12 ounce) box cherry tomatoes, whole
• 0.5 (6 ounce) jar pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
• fresh oregano, chopped (dried can be subsituted)
• fresh basil, chopped (dried can be subsituted)
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 (16 ounce) bottle light italian dressing (your favorite, fat free 7 seas is great)
• parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 cook pasta according to package directions. rinse in cold water, drain. place pasta in a large bowl.
• 2 add chopped pepperoni, olives, red & green peppers, cucumber, tomatoes & herbs.
• 3 add celery seeds, s&p, to taste. stir well.
• 4 add mozzarella cheese. stir again.
• 5 then add italian dressing. mix very well to coat.
• 6 finally, sprinkle with parmesan. great served same day.
• 7 if refrigerated overnight, more dressing may be needed the next day to moisten. keep parmesan handy for individual tastes.