Servings: 10

For The Pasta Salad: subheading: For The Pasta Salad:
16 ounces rotini tricolor or original, or other short pasta shape 16 ounces rotini tricolor or original, or other short pasta shape
1 cup broccoli about 1 small head of broccoli cut into small pieces 1 cup broccoli about 1 small head of broccoli cut into small pieces
1 cup bell pepper diced, about 1 bell pepper 1 cup bell pepper diced, about 1 bell pepper
1 cup English cucumber sliced thinly and quartered 1 cup English cucumber sliced thinly and quartered
½ cup red onion finely diced, about 1/2 an onion. ½ cup red onion finely diced, about ½ an onion.
8 ounces cherry tomato sliced in half 8 ounces cherry tomato sliced in half
8 ounces black olives drained and sliced 8 ounces black olives drained and sliced
1 cup mozzarella cheese diced 1 cup mozzarella cheese diced
5 ounces pepperoni cut or mini pepperoni, can also use salami, about 1 cup, or chicken 5 ounces pepperoni cut or mini pepperoni, can also use salami, about 1 cup, or chicken
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, plus a little for garnish 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, plus a little for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
For The Dressing: subheading: For The Dressing:
1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano dried 1 tablespoon oregano dried
1 tablespoon parsley dried 1 tablespoon parsley dried
4 teaspoons sugar 4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt or to taste 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/4 cup water ¼ cup water
1 1/2 cups oil 1 ½ cups oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar ¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice

For The Pasta Salad: subheading: For The Pasta Salad:
In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta in the water according to the package directions on the box for al dente, or the minimum cooking time. You want your pasta to be cooked, but still have a little bite. Drain and quickly rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let the pasta drain as much as possible.
Prep your vegetables by dicing and chopping your broccoli, bell pepper, cucumber, onion (optional) and cherry tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
Drain your olives and slice into bite-sized pieces.
Slice pepperoni and cheese if needed into bite-sized pieces.
For The Dressing: subheading: For The Dressing:
In a medium-sized bowl combine garlic powder, oregano, parsley, sugar, salt and pepper together and mix well.
Next to the spices add oil, vinegar and lemon juice. With a whisk quickly whip together all the dressing ingredients until combined.
Finishing The Salad: subheading: Finishing The Salad:
In a large bowl combine pasta, all vegetables, meat, cheese and dressing. Mix well. Chill well!
Garnish with fresh chopped basil, parsley and a little parmesan just before serving if desired!