linda's (healthy & filling) pasta salad

How To Make linda's (healthy & filling) pasta salad

• Step 1
  Boil pasta until el dente'. Rinse in cold water and place in a large salad bowl.
• Step 2
  Clean and separate broccoli and cauliflower flowerettes. Boil a pot of water - turn off and place vegetables in hot water to BLANCH. (approx. 3 min). They should brighten in color, but still be crisp. Repeat with carrots.
• Step 3
  Add blanched vegetables to bowl of pasta.
• Step 4
  Add chopped tomato, sliced jalapenos and olives to pasta bowl. (You may use black or green olives). I prefer small green olives stuffed with pimentos. Mix thoroughly.
• Step 5
  Cut cheddar cheese into small cubes and add along with 3 T. of fresh parmesan. Add the Caesar Italian salad dressing and blend into pasta and vegetable mixture thoroughly. I have also used fat free Zesta Italian dressing before. If you like a creamier salad you could also add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, but remember the POINTS value will change if you do. Refrigerate overnight covered.
• Step 6
  If you want your salad hotter/spicier, leave seeds and veins in jalapenos.
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