Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad

Ok, maybe the title should read “Everything But the Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad”, but I thought it was a little too long winded.  This is pretty much a simple pasta salad with a whole lot of veggies and other yummy stuff. You’ve probably seen similar recipes all over the place, probably called Italian Pasta Salad or something like that.

My son even enjoyed it and has been eating it for his lunch for a couple of days now. It keeps beautifully in the refrigerator.  I will admit that I did cheat with the dressing because it’s a bottle dressing. But there is no reason you couldn’t use your favorite balsamic vinaigrette or other favorite Italian dressing.

Please don’t judge, but there aren’t any measurements. I simply chopped and dropped according to my tastes.

Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad

1/2 pkg tri-color twist pasta noodles
1/2 large or 1 small red onion, chopped into bite size pieces
About 1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced and chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced and chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 English cucumber, sliced and chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 salami chunk or summer sausage, sliced and chopped into bite size pieces
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Handful fresh basil, chopped
Your favorite Italian dressing, I used Kraft Tuscan House Italian

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Dump everything in a large bowl. Mix until combined. Chill for at least an hour to get those flavors melded together. Enjoy! Makes a ton.