Supreme Pizza Pasta Salad

10003

Supreme Pizza Pasta Salad

Servings: 6

Time: 25 minutes

Source: Rachael Ray, Food Network Website

Ingredients:

2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1/2 medium red onion, chopped

8 fresh white button mushrooms, sliced

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 stick pepperoni, casing removed and cut into a small dice

1 pound ball fresh mozzarella or fresh smoked mozzarella, diced

20 leaves fresh basil, torn or thinly sliced

1 pound wagon wheel pasta, cooked to al dente and cooled under cold water, then drained

     Dressing

2 teaspoon garlic salt

2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves or Italian dried seasoning

2 rounded tablespoon tomato paste

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar, eyeball it

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Combine tomatoes, onion, mushrooms, peppers, pepperoni, mozzarella, basil and pasta in a big bowl. Whisk garlic salt, oregano or Italian seasoning, tomato paste and vinegar together. Stream in extra-virgin olive oil while continuing to whisk dressing. When oil is incorporated, pour dressing over pasta salad, add a few grinds of black pepper to the bowl, then toss salad to coat evenly. Adjust your seasonings and serve salad. Leftovers make a great lunch or snack the next day!