Garlic Caesar Tortellini Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (13 ounce) package cheese tortellini

• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

• 1 (8 ounce) can black olives
• 4-5 tablespoons basil, fresh chiffonade
• 15 ounces caesar salad dressing, divided (don't skimp)

• 1 (16 ounce) package croutons

• 1 (16 ounce) bag salad greens, romaine

Directions

1. 1

   Cook torellini.

2. 2

   Drain.

3. 3

   Rinse several times in strainer.

4. 4

   In a fairly large bowl mix first 7 ingredients with 1/4 jar of dressing. (****please note: The jarred dressing (I like Marzetti's Caeser Supreme) is really thick so I typically use 1/4 the jar to toss the pasta with ingredients and then add water and shake well.).

5. 5

   Allow mixture to marry a few hours and chill 2-3 hours in refrigerator.

6. 6

   Before serving add lettuce and 1/2 jar of dressing.

7. 7

   Use enough to coat the lettuce and remoisten the pasta mixture.

8. 8

   Top with croutons.