Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

It's hot, it's sunny, and it's summer. One of my most favorite foods during the summer is Pasta Salad. One of the best things about pasta salad is there are so many different ways it can be prepared. My favorite way is the simplest way. It was my brother Jon who gave me this recipe about a year ago and I haven't stopped making it since.

It's a simple pasta salad that includes the standard vegetables with a simple Italian Dressing. I prefer to use a pre-made Italian dressing because of the flavor, but if you want to go traditional you can do olive oil and red wine vinegar instead.

Ingredients:

1 box of Pasta (You can use whatever kind you choose, I prefer Farfalle or Penne) 

Italian Dressing

1 Cucumber

3 Tomatoes

1 Red Bell Pepper

1 small can of pre-sliced olives (you can slice your own here too)

Shredded Parmigiano Reggiano to taste

Ham - optional

First cook your pasta. For an entire box I'll use a medium or large size sauce pan. Fill it a little more than 2/3 full with water. Salt your water to add flavor to the pasta. Once the water is boiling put in your pasta and let it cook (stirring occasionally) for about 7 minutes, or until aldante.

While the pasta is cooking chop up the cucumber, tomatoes, and pepper into small bite-size pieces. Set aside. If you're using ham slice it up into bite sized pieces and mix it with the pasta along with the other vegetables.

When the pasta is done drain it in a colander and rinse under cold water until the pasta is no longer hot, but instead cold. Transfer the pasta into a medium size mixing bowl. Combine all of the vegetables with the pasta. Add the Italian dressing (or oil and vinegar if you're using it) and mix. I will usually add about 1/3-1/2 cup of the dressing and then add more if it seems a little dry.

As a finishing touch you can add some shredded Parmigiano Reggiano (or any parmesan cheese) to add a little more flavor. If you won't be eating the salad right away you can put it in the fridge to cool even more.