Quick & Easy Summer Pasta Salad

I love a good pasta salad especially on that has lots of veggies in it. If it is also incredibly easy that is even better.

This salad is great because you can change it up depending on what is in your fridge. This time I used the veggies I list in the ingredients list but feel free to change them up depending on what you like and what you have on hand. (more about that after the recipe)

Since the salad needs a few hours to set so the flavors can blend it is great for those days when the temperatures are soaring. Just put the salad together in the morning and let it hang out in your fridge until dinner time.

If you want to turn this salad into a meal instead of a side dish just add a cup or so of cooked meat.

Quick & Easy Summer Pasta Salad

¾ cup uncooked spiral shape pasta

¼ cup finely chopped onion*

¼ cup finely chopped celery*

¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper*

¼ cup finely chopped red bell pepper*

1 hard cooked egg, diced

1 Tablespoon sliced ripe olives

2 Tablespoons prepared Ranch salad dressing

1 Tablespoon Italian salad dressing (I prefer a creamy style on in this)

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon dried basil

dash of salt and pepper

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and rinse in cold water.

Combine the veggies, diced egg, olives and the cooked pasta.

In a small dish combine the two salad dressings and the seasonings. Stir to combine well.

Add the dressing mixture to the pasta mixture and toss to coat.

Cover and chill in the fridge until serving time.

• You can use any combination of veggies that add up to 1 cup. I like to stick with around 4 because that number of flavors seems to combine well. In the past I have used corn, cucumber, radishes, tomato, peas, and a lot more that I can't think of at the moment. Also you can vary the type of onion to your preference. Red onion and green onion are my personal favorites but use what you have/love.

This is a recipe that you can definitely change up depending on what you have on hand and what you love to eat. The combinations are practically endless.