HOT PASTA PICNIC SALAD

Hot Pasta Picnic Salad image

Provided by Heather England

Categories Salads

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 box bow tie pasta, any brand will do
2 can(s) del monte zucchini
2 can(s) -14.5 oz- diced italian style tomatoes-any brand
1 pkg hillshire farms polish kielbasa
2 jar(s) * optional sliced button mushrooms -drained (whole is also an option)
1 can(s) **optional sliced black olives -drained
1tsp ***optional minced garlic
2tsp ****optional italian seasoning
pinch ***** optional paprika, sweet mild

Steps:

1. Boil pasta as package directs for Al Dente While pasta is boiling slice kielbasa into medallions---OR if you have to use smaller noodles when Farfalle (bow tie) pasta isn't available dice precooked sausage of choice. Drain pasta and set to the side.
2. In the same pot you've just boiled noodles in : toss in kielbasa chunks and warm through. Its great if some get just a bit of color on them. If you don't have that much time, its perfect any way you can warm it. Open all cans and stir into meat-liquids and all! Add pasta and stir gently so the soft noodles don't break.
3. **Optional---Every now and again to make this a "winter" instead of summer dish, I add a 1/2 tsp. of minced garlic with my sausage while it warms, and if I have the time,extra diced white onion. ***Add in your family's favorite seasonings. Because this dish is almost all canned or precooked, you should not need to add salt. I have also found garlic powder does not do well in this dish, but a pinch of Italian Seasoning and Paprika does wonders.
4. ** This dish get better after a day in the ol' chill chest. The tomatoes sweeten and the juice flavors the pasta.
5. (*Note: I use all different kinds of precooked sausage. Even leftover brat's or summer sausage*)