Pizza pasta salad

An interesting twist on pasta salad that actually tastes like pizza, minus the crust of course. This is another great recipe found on Inside BruCrew Life. It's a perfect, light summer salad when you don't want to cook a hot meal. I think the pasta is best served slightly warm, but not hot. For leftovers, I placed it in the microwave for 20 seconds and added a bit more oil and vinegar. It really brought the dish back to life from being in a fridge. Serves at least eight.


Pizza Pasta Salad
adapted from Inside BruCrew Life found in All You Magazine

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. pasta (shells, bowties, or penne)

1/4 c. olive oil
1/3 c. rice vinegar
1/3 c. sun dried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 c. cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
3/4 c. artichoke hearts, chopped

1 small green pepper, diced

8 oz. small fresh mozzarella nuggets, halved
4 oz. diced turkey pepperoni, halved
1/2 c. shredded fresh basil leaves
2 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano

salt and pepper

parmesan cheese to taste

DIRECTIONS
Boil water and cook pasta until al dente, approximately 8 min. Drain and cool. Place pasta in large bowl and stir in oil and vinegar. Add remaining ingredients. Toss well and season with salt and pepper. Finish with fresh parmesan cheese.