I first tasted this dish when my husband and I were dating. His mom brought it to a family get-together and I asked her, "what is this recipe?!" soon after my first bite. I was surprised at how easy it was to make! While it may take time to complete from start to finish, it is easily one of my favorite dishes to make during the summer months. Although, I've definitely brought it to a Thanksgiving dinner one time haha. It's always a hit!
I hope it's a side dish you and your family can enjoy, too.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of tri-color spiral pasta
- 1 cup of grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 english cucumber, sliced and cut into 4ths
- 2 cups raw broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 4 mozzarella cheese sticks, sliced
- 4 oz pepperoni, cut into 4ths
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives, drained
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheese (any kind! I prefer a Colby Jack mixture)
- 12 to 16 oz of Zesty Italian Dressing*
- 2-3 tbsp Salad Supreme Seasoning* (I use Mccormick)
- salt and pepper, if desired
Instructions
1. Cook pasta according to directions on box, drain and rinse under cool water.
2. Cut the tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, onion, cheese sticks, and pepperoni. Combine with pasta in a large bowl.
3. Add drained olives, shredded cheese, Salad Supreme, and Zesty Italian Dressing to the bowl, then stir together.
* you are welcome to adjust these measurements to your taste buds!
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Add any additional veggies or ingredients that you usually love in your pasta salads! Some great additions are bell peppers, celery, and carrots.
Tip: Make this dish the day before your event so that the zesty flavors can marinate. If I know I am planning to bring this dish to a pot luck or cookout, I will put it all together after my toddler goes to bed, and will let it sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, I will give it a "taste test" to see if I need to add any more dressing or Salad Supreme.
Did you love this recipe? If so, let me know! I'd love to hear from you! jessicasweeney@macaronikid.com.
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