mindi’s pasta salad

Name: Mindi’s Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound(s) pasta of choice; 1 large can(s) pitted black olives, drained; 1 green pepper, cleaned and cubed; 1 cucumber, peeled and cubed; 1 basket cherry tomatoes, whole or halved; 1/2 red onion, peeled and diced large; sprinkle dried oregano; 1/2 pound(s) cheddar cheese, cubed; 1 package(s) pepperoni slices or salad pepperoni; 1-2 jar(s) Marzetti sweet Italian dressing, more or less to taste; ## OPTIONAL; some whole green olives, drained; any other kinds of cheese cubes; some cooked ham cubes

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Fran Miller

Parkersburg, WV

Updated on Sep 24, 2024

A wonderful graduation celebration for Gabriella (high school) and Ayden (university) on 5/27/17 introduced this dish to me. So much delicious food, but my favorite was my daughter Mindi's pasta salad. Her secret ingredient? Marzetti's sweet Italian dressing. Who knew?? The other secret is to cut the additions to the pasta in larger pieces so it’s easy to avoid something one doesn’t like. Family harmony is maintained! =^..^=

Rate

prep time 20 Min

cook time 15 Min

method Stove Top

yield 8 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 pound pasta of choice
1 large can pitted black olives, drained
1 green pepper, cleaned and cubed
1 cucumber, peeled and cubed
1 basket cherry tomatoes, whole or halved
1/2 red onion, peeled and diced large
sprinkle dried oregano
1/2 pound cheddar cheese, cubed
1 package pepperoni slices or salad pepperoni
1-2 jar Marzetti sweet Italian dressing, more or less to taste
OPTIONAL
some whole green olives, drained
any other kinds of cheese cubes
some cooked ham cubes

How To Make mindi’s pasta salad

Step 1

Cooking and drain the pasta; cool under cold water and drain well. (Mindi’s favorite pasta for this dish is radiatore, but I use rotini if I can’t find it. Any pasta will do! Just don’t overcook it!)

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl or pan, carefully stir together the pasta, the desired additions, and less salad dressing than you think (maybe 1 jar or less to start). Cover and refrigerate until time to eat.
Step 3

Taste and decide if more dressing is actually needed. Add it if you think so.
Step 4

Pour the pasta salad into a serving dish or pan. Decorate with additional cherry tomatoes and olives, if wanted. Enjoy! =^..^=
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