The BEST EVER Non-Vegan Pasta Salad

Summertime brings hot, sunny days, time by the pool, and some of my most favorite foods. One of my favorite summertime dishes is this pasta salad! I have always loved this recipe and have slowly adjusted it to PERFECTION (imho) over the years.

This pasta salad is INCREDIBLY easy to make and only takes about 20-30 minutes.

The best time of day to make it is the night before you want to eat it. The dressing will soak into the pasta and veggies overnight and the zesty and tangy flavor will intensify!

However, even if you make it last minute like I did tonight, it will be amazing!

INGREDIENTS

• Rotini Pasta (I ❤️ tri-color because it’s 🤩 but our store was out of stock.)
• Pepperoni
• Bacon
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Celery
• Cheddar Cheese
• Zesty Italian Dressing

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare Rotini:
   1. Cook rotini to al dente.
   2. Strain water out.
   3. Rinse rotini with cold water.
   4. Add to large mixing or serving bowl.
2. Prepare Meats:
   1. Fry in frying pan until crispy brown.
   2. Place on paper towel to soak up grease.
   3. Chop to small pieces.
   4. Dice pepperoni (or use small pepperoni, either way).
3. Prepare Veggies:
   • Chop cherry tomatoes in halves or quarters. Add to the large bowl over the rotini.
   • Dice cucumber. Add to the large bowl with the rotini and tomatoes.
   • Dice celery. Add to the large bowl with the rotini, tomatoes, and cucumber.
   • Add to the large bowl with the rotini, tomatoes, cucumber, and celery.
4. Prepare Cheese:
   • Dice cheddar cheese to your preferred size.
   • Add to the large bowl with the rotini, tomatoes, cucumber, and celery.
5. Add bacon and pepperoni to the large bowl with the rotini, tomatoes, cucumber, celery and cheddar cheese.
6. Add zesty italian dressing – about 3/4 of the 15 oz.
7. Mix all ingredients together.

Eat immediately and place the leftovers in refrigerator overnight. It will taste even better tomorrow. Just refresh it with the last 1/4 of the zesty italian dressing, re-stir, and most of all, ENJOY!

One last thing….please share this image on Facebook or Pinterest or even email it to your friends! Any sharing is super helpful to me!

Eat up!