If you're looking for a no-mayonnaise side dish, this Pepperoni and Cheese Pasta Salad is very good, comes together quickly, and you can make any additions or subtractions desired. The recipe is basically just a guideline, and a variation of a deli pasta salad. I just happened to have some pepperoni in the fridge, so this became lunch, it's good stuff:@) My pepperoni came pre-sliced, if I went shopping specifically to make this salad, I'd buy a stick and cut it into rounds, then fourths, like I cut the cucumber. I didn't use scallions, just some regular onion and chives for color. And obviously, any pasta shape you have on hand would work, but I will say the spirals are easy to get on the fork... Don't hesitate to whip some up folks, you really can't go wrong!
Pepperoni & Cheese Macaroni Salad-from Taste of Home
2 C dry spiral tri-color pasta, cooked, run under cold water, and drained well
1 C cubed cheddar cheese
1 C cubed cucumber
1 small tomato, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
28 pepperoni slices
1/2 C zesty Italian salad dressing-or just eye it
~Mix everything in bowl, cover and store in fridge until serving. Mix, drizzle with more dressing if needed.
Eat well and have a happy day:@)
