As summer fast approaches (yesterday was 81 in TN) one of my favorite things to eat is yummy pasta salad, a super easy meal or snack for summer. I will typically make large batches of pasta and eat it as a snack or combine it with a meal. It’s light, easy to make and even better to eat! And there are no hard and fast rules on how to make it which is why I love it.  I am all about easy! In fact the original recipe is long gone. At this point, like a smorgasbord  I throw whatever I have into the pasta making it like Christmas every time I eat it! yum!

What you’ll need:

16-32 oz pasta

Cilantro/endive/parsley

Chives

Vinegar any kind really

Feta or gorgonzola cheese

Mushrooms

Garlic

Capers

Lemon

and one big ass bowl

1) Heat up your noodles

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad Recipe

I like the spiral noodles because they tend to hold oil and cheese better and in my book cheese is like vodka so the more the better! Choose your favorite type and boil about 32 ounces of noodles or a whole bag.

2) Sautee Your Mushrooms

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad Recipe

Saute some mushrooms with a clove or two of garlic. I like portobello mushrooms but have used fancy mixes or just regular ol’ mushrooms too. Just use what you got. Saute in olive oil, with the garlic and a little salt and pepper. Blanche with vodka if you so choose….I do because well it’s vodka! Cook for about 3 minutes and then remove from heat.

3) Chop up your veggies

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad Recipe

Use what ever you have. I am throwing in chives, and cilantro because it is in my fridge. You can throw in endive lettuce, parsley, red onions, squash, eggplant or peppers. Have fun with it and choose things you love to eat…you really can’t go wrong!

4) Throw it all together

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad Recipe

Get a big ass bowl and throw it all together. I have thrown in a 1/4 C of capers, 1/2 of red wine vinegar, a teaspoon or two…maybe it was three of vodka, cilantro, an entire container of gorgonzola cheese, green onions, and squeezed and half of lemon on top. And I always add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Don’t get yourself worked up over what goes in it or how much. Throw it together and flavor to taste. Super easy and super tasty, perfect for the summer. And if you are eating it quickly add an avocado! Thats even tastier!

Incredibly simple and super tasty!

 

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