Start your pasta salad with seashell noodles.
Once you make this delicious pasta salad, your friends and family may expect it at every gathering. It's simple to pull together but you should allow about an hour in the kitchen. Be flexible with the ingredients if you don't have everything on-hand or if you want to add in something else, such as tomato or sweet corn. Just keep an eye on the pasta to be sure you don't overcook it.
Instructions
1. Boil 1 1/2 pounds of seashell pasta noodles according to the package instructions. Remove from heat and drain when the pasta is still a little stiff. If you overcook, they will stick together. Pour the pasta into a large bowl and set aside.
2. Chop the onion and green pepper into small, bite-size pieces. Dice the cheddar, provolone and hot pepper cheeses, and cut up the pepperoni and hard salami.
3. Chop the cucumber into small pieces and remove the seeds.
4. Toss all of the meats, cheeses and vegetables into the pasta until everything is evenly distributed.
5. Add the Italian dressing and 2 tablespoons of the salad seasoning and stir throughout. Sprinkle the top with coarse black pepper and Italian seasoning.
6. Refrigerate the pasta salad, covered, about 2 hours or until chilled. The salad tastes even better if it sits overnight. Stir well before serving.
Tags: into small, pasta salad
