Pasta Salad- From What's On Hand

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 4 ounces dry pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon spinach dip mix, like tastefully simple's
• 1 tablespoon garlic parmesan seasoning, like garlic gourmet's
• 10 slices pepperoni, sliced into 1/16 inch ribbons
• 1 ounce mozzarella cheese, diced in 1/4 inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• salt and pepper

Recipe

• 1 cook the pasta in salted boiling water until done, but not soggy.
• 2 while the pasta is cooking, whisk together the oil, vinegar, dip mix, and garlic seasoning in a bowl large enough to hold all of the salad ingedients.
• 3 when the pasta is done, drain well, and add to the dressing while still hot.
• 4 stir well to coat the pasta with the dressing.
• 5 add the pepperoni, cheese, capers, corn, and peas. stir to combine.
• 6 chill for at least two hours to let the flavors combine.
• 7 when ready to serve, taste, and add salt or pepper as needed.
• 8 sprinkle paprika over the salad, mix gently, and serve.
• 9 other ideas to add: leftover roast chicken or sliced ham instead of the pepperoni; cheddar or swiss cheese instead of the mozzerella; artichoke heart quarters, cooked beans, broccoli florets (blanched and drained); frozen lima beans or green beans.
• 10 you can use bottled salad dressing instead of the oil, vinegar and seasonings, or use a seasoning mix your family likes mixed with the oil and vinegar.