ANTIPASTO STYLE PASTA SALAD

Antipasto Style Pasta Salad image

Provided by Sandra McGrath

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 box tri-colored twist pasta
1 can(s) black olives (drained)
1 pkg small red grape tomatoes
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 pkg mozzarella cheese or cheddar if preferred
1/2 lb genoa salami (ask deli to cut it in one chunk)
1 bottle italian salad dressing
1/2 c chopped pepper(red, green or yellow for added color)
/2 c chopped celery
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
1 stick pepperoni, sliced 1/4 inch thick and halved
1 stick pepperjack or jalenpeno cheese( land 0' lakes has one)

Steps:

1. Boil pasta as directed. If you prefer another type of pasta the recipe works well with almost anything.Drain and place in a bowl, adding all the other ingredients except the cheese, meat and salad dressing. Cube the cheese and meat into small bites and place in 2 plastic bags, cheese in one and meat in the other and place in the refrigerator.
2. Add salad dressing over the pasta and vegetables and mix well.At this point you can refrigerate this,covered. Add the cubed meat and cheeses about 1/2 hour before the event or before serving so the cheeses don't get wet and mushy and mix well.