Foodie Friday Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
4 12 oz boxes of tri-color spiral pasta (rotini), cooked as package directions say and drained
1 16 oz package bacon; cooked, drained and broken to small pieces
2 cans pitted and sliced black olives, drained
1 can Italian diced tomatoes, drained
1 can or 2 small jars marinated artichoke hearts

1 cucumber, peeled and diced

1 medium red onion, peeled and diced

1 red pepper, seeded and diced
2 bottles Ranch dressing

salt to taste 

seasoned pepper to taste

Toss all ingredients together in a large pot and chill in fridge to desired temperature. Enjoy!

Optional Ingredients:
2 avocados; peeled, pitted and cubed
other sweet bell peppers, seeded and diced
celery, diced
cheese of choice, shredded

feta, crumbled

mozzarella balls, drained and cubed 
grated Parmesan cheese
1 can chunk chicken, drained
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
fresh mushrooms, washed and sliced

fresh basil

chives, chopped
oregano to taste
parsley to taste
thyme to taste


Alternatives:
use diced ham or salami slices cut into strips instead of bacon
use Italian dressing instead of Ranch

use other noodles instead of the tri-color rotini, like shells, macaroni, or tortellini 

use a mix of olives instead of black olives like Kalamata and green olives

use fresh cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered instead of canned tomatoes