Loaded Pasta Salad

This salad almost didn't happen. I went to make it and realized I had run out of cucumbers, peppers and arugula. I decided to take it anyways and use romaine lettuce, since that is what I had on hand and just leave out the cucumbers and peppers.

I loved this salad even though I was missing some ingredients and had to substitute the arugula. I will definitely make this again, with the cucumbers, peppers and arugula. I can only imagine how much better it will be with the peppery arugula. 

It might take me awhile to make this again since my kids would not even try it, because there are too many ingredients they do not like. Since I will be the only one eating it I might have to cut the recipe in half. Although I love the salad, 8 servings is a lot for one person to eat.

Loaded Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• black pepper, to taste
• 2 teaspoons dried dill
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup diced orange bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced hard salami
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup diced red onion
• 1/3 cup halved kalamata olive
• 2 cups arugula

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
2. Meanwhile in a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, garlic, sugar, black pepper, dill and parsley.
3. Stir in the drained warm pasta. Let cool for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in the tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, salami, feta, red onion, olives.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until chilled.
6. Stir in the arugula and serve immediately.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 267
Total Fat		15.7g
Saturated Fat		3.8g
Trans Fat		0g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat		8.6g
Cholesterol		15.6mg
Sodium		335.8mg
Total Carbohydrates		27.7g
Dietary Fiber		1.4g
Sugars		3.3g
Protein		5.6g
Calcium		5.9%
Iron		3.9%
Potassium		109.9mg
Vitamin A		3.2%
Vitamin C		49.6%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Damn Delicious.