Lauren's Kitchen: Pasta Salad

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Pasta Salad

Brooke has made this Pasta Salad twice in my presence, and it's too good to not try to make myself!

Pat has a few cousins who live somewhat locally, and we try to get together a few times a year. We went to Jane and Jeff's this past weekend for a barbecue (and for TWO new pregnancy announcements!), and I decided to make Brooke's pasta salad.

I changed around the amounts a tad based on what I had on hand. And there was definitely WAY too much!! I've been taking it to work for lunch all week and throwing some chopped grilled chicken on top.

Ingredients

24 oz uncooked tri-color pasta
1 can sliced black olives
1 jar roasted red peppers, chopped
1 jar artichoke hearts, chopped
1 ball fresh mozzarella, cubed
2 1/2 cups bottled fat-free Italian dressing

Cook pasta according to package directions. Place in bowl and toss with 1 cup dressing. Allow to cool. Toss in all other ingredients and additional 1 cup of dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, toss with the final 1/2 cup dressing.

2 comments:

KerstinMay 19, 2009 at 2:53 PM
I always make a beeline for the pasta salad at picnics, I just love it! Your version looks very tasty!
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What's Cookin ChicagoMay 20, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I love how colorful this is and perfect for the summer!
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Lauren 101

Before my wedding in 2003, my idea of cooking was Kraft mac and cheese. My mother and my mother-in-law even left me several boxes of the blue box on my counter the day we returned from our honeymoon. I believe a few showed up in the wishing well at my bridal shower, too.

Once I became a Mrs, however, I figured I'd need to step it up in the kitchen.

I rarely prepared anything from scratch, though; it was frozen stuff chicken and rice in a pouch all the way.

About a year (and 20lbs) later, I decided that something needed to change in the kitchen. I went on a diet and lost the weight, but knew I needed to lose the habits too.

Armed with Rachael Ray cookbooks and the internet, I slowly began to expand my repertoire. I joined an online cooking forum and subscribed to about eleventy billion cooking blogs.

Cooking remains a challenge, however, as two sweet little boys joined our family over the last few years. Coupled with my full time job, I look for meals that are healthy and easy.

I also discovered a love for photography along the way, and while I'm about as unprofessional behind the camera as they come, I really enjoy honing my skills on my dinner - mainly because it can't run away like my two wild boys can.

I love maintaining this blog, and I hope you like visiting.