Pasta Salad for the Bunch

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package tri colored pasta rotini pasta or penne pasta
• 2 quarts water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil, for water
• 1 (1/8 ounce) package Good Seasons salad dressing mix
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces pesto sauce, Safeway Slect
• 1 lb salami, genoni salami thin sliced- juliened
• 1/2 lb pepperoni, if desired sliced
• 1 lb provolone cheese, thin sliced into strips, Julien
• 1 whole yellow pepper, sliced
• 1 whole red pepper, sliced
• 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
• 6 whole green onions, cleaned & cut into small pieces
• 4 ounces black olives, chopped or sliced
• 3 whole celery ribs, diced
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 4 cups grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes
• salt & pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Boil 2 qts water, add salt,2 tablespoons oil and pasta. Cook to not quite done-aldante. Then drain do not rinse. when not quite cooled but not HOT, place in LARGE bowl.

2. 2

   While pasta is cooking make good seasons dressing using dry mix, rice vinager, 3 tablespoons water & 1/2 cup EVOO.

3. 3

   Add Pesto to dressing, mix well.

4. 4

   Add Pesto mix to pasta toss lightly.

5. 5

   Add Salami & Pepperoni,toss lightly.

6. 6

   Let pasta cool.

7. 7

   When cool add cheese, peppers, onion, olives celery.

8. 8

   Salt & Pepper toss,let set to disolve salt and then taste.

9. 9

   Add Oregano if desired to taste, you may want more basil add now.

10. 10

    Tomatoes use 2 10-12 oz deli pks. Cut the tomatoes in half, add to salad.

11. 11

    Cool overnight or several hours.

12. 12

    Notes: Cut meats,cheese & peppers about the same size as your pasta, for looks and easier eating. I do not like green peppers or I would add them also, they would look great and add interesting flavor.