Easy Pasta Salad

Here is an easy beginner pasta salad that is great as a side or even a meal in itself. The only thing that you have to “cook” is the pasta! Plus, you’ll get a chance to practice your knife skills that we learned earlier.

Ingredients:

1 Lb pasta of your choice (see our pasta page for more info)
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped (don’t forget to remove the seeds)
1 Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped (same thing about the seeds)
1 Orange Bell Pepper, Chopped (you get it about the seeds now).
2 cups of fresh Grape Tomatoes cut in ½.
1 cup Black Olives (optional)
1 cup of Italian Salad Dressing
½ cup of fresh Basil, chopped
1 cup of grated Parmesan Cheese
Kosher Salt to your own taste
Freshly cracked Pepper to your own taste.

Using a large pot, fill with water and add salt for the pasta heating to a boil.

Directions:

Add your pasta to a large pot of already boiling and salted water.
Cook according to the directions on the pasta package (I like mine a little Al Dente (firmer).
Carefully drain the hot water from the pasta (don’t burn yourself or fog your glasses).
Rinse the pasta in cold water and transfer to large bowl.
In the bowl, combine the pasta, peppers, olives and tomatoes and salad dressing until it’s well mixed and everything is coated.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and the fresh Basil.
Use your salt and pepper to taste.
Can be served at room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator.