Tri colored pasta salads

To this salad I added red onion, green onion, green pepper, celery and tomato but feel free to add what ever veggies you would like. Anything goes! 

Very colorful! Add some bottled
Ranch dressing and it's oh so good! Chill!

It's summer and it seems there is always some place to go or someone coming to visit or maybe you just want to make something for your family to have along with some chicken or grilled burgers. I used one package of Tri colored pasta and changed ingredients and dressing to spruce them up..Hopefully they'll help you out as well when you are either having guests visit or are going to a barbecue or picnic too..Enjoy!

Happy Baking and Summer Cooking!

M.J

  Tri Color Pasta and Veggies

Half package of Tri Color Pasta cooked, rinsed and drained
1 cup broccoli florets ( cook along with pasta adding the broccoli the last minute of cooking time)
1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
1/8 tsp. crushed pepper flakes
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup chopped  carrots shredded
1/4 cup red bell pepper chopped
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
1/2 cup black olives sliced (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup fresh grated cheese (Parmesan or Pecorino Romano)

If you like cook whole package of pasta..drain and rinse.  Separate into two bowls..the first bowl will be for this recipe..
Salad Dressing:  Whisk together vinegar, salt, pepper, pepper flakes in large bowl..add olive oil and continue to whisk..Add pasta, broccoli, carrots, basil, red pepper, olives, onions and cheese..Mix well.  Chill

Note: If you are making two salads this other option is:   Maybe you'd like to toss some bottled  Ranch Dressing to make it a creamy salad.   It's up to you!!!!!

From my kitchen to yours,