Cold Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- diced onions
- diced bell peppers, assorted colors
- 1 can large pitted black olives
- cucumber, seeded and diced
- smoked sausage or Kielbasa, diced
- pasta, tri-colored or a mix of different shapes
- ham, diced
- cheese, cubed, mild flavored yellow or mixed like Colby Jack
- cherry tomatoes, split
- Italian salad dressing
Instructions
Prepare all ingredients except pasta, cheese and tomatoes. Vegetables are best cut into pieces slightly smaller than the pasta you have chosen. Cook pasta to package directions in a pot with a strainer, don't overcook. During last 90 seconds of boiling, add bell peppers, olives, onions and sausage. Remove from water and drain. Place in large mixing bowl, add ham and cucumbers, gently toss with Italian dressing. Cool in refrigerator for several hours. Just before serving add tomatoes and cheese. Flavors are best after 24 hours.
