Good Times and Noodle Salad (Pasta Salad)

Just Mandy's Note:

This is a line from the movie "As Good As It Gets" where Jack Nicholson says some people have good childhood memories of going to the lake and noodle salad. This easy Italian-ish pasta salad is sure to accompany my families good times. I serve it warm with Italian Sausage for dinner or cold for picnics. Makes a great left over. All the measurements are approximate, use what you have on hand and as much as you like.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 (16 ounce) box rotini pasta (the garden rotini with red green and yellow pasta makes the best presentation)
• 12 ounces Italian dressing (homemade or store bought)
• 1 cup cucumber , cubed
• 4 roma tomatoes , cubed (use canned whole tomatoes in the off season)
• 1 cup black olives , sliced
• ½-1 cup cheese , cubed (I like Colby Jack)
• 3 green onions , chopped

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to directions.
2. Carefully toss in half of the Italian dressing.
3. Toss in the rest of the ingredients.
4. Pour the rest of the Italian dressing over salad.
5. Serve warm or cold. Cold salad is best the next day.

Reviews

[Wyldemoon]

Made this for a potluck at work. Everyone RAVED! I am not a fan of bottled Italian Dressing, but everyone else seems to be, so that's what I used. Great combination of flavors. I think putting the dressing on the warm pasta really makes this salad sing. I made some at home using a homemade balsamic vinagrette. It was not as pretty as the one I took to the potluck, but it was delicious! Thanks for the great recipe, Mandy :)

[YourCakeIWillTake]

Sounds fantastic!

[marye1016]

Great pasta salad! I'm usually not one for pasta salads, but this was great. I made it for a baby shower and it was a great success. I would use a zesty or spicy Italian dressing. I used the regular and it needed a little kick. I added some balsamic vinegar and a little Japanese 5 pepper spice and it was delicious.