Pasta Salad with Layers

Ingredients

1. 12 ounces of pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
   Half a cup of cherry tomatoes
2. One cup of chopped cucumber
3. One cup of chopped bell pepper (any color)
4. Half a cup of thinly chopped red onion
5. One cup of sliced black olives
6. One cup of cubed or shredded mozzarella cheese
7. Half a cup of homemade or store-bought Italian dressing
8. To taste, add salt and pepper.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.

Directions

• Bring a big saucepan of salted water to a boil in order to cook the pasta. After adding the pasta, cook it as directed on the package until it’s al dente. To cool, drain and rinse with cold water. Put aside.
• Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, olives, and cherry tomatoes as the pasta cooks.
• Arrange the salad in layers: Arrange the ingredients in the following layers in a big glass bowl or trifle dish:
• Place a layer of the chilled pasta on top first.
• Cover with cherry tomatoes.
• Add bell peppers, red onions, and cucumbers after that.
• Cover with mozzarella cheese and black olives.
• Drizzle the salad with the Italian dressing to spice it up. To taste, add salt and pepper.
• Repeat Layers: If your dish permits, continue layering until all of the ingredients have been used, and then top with a layer of cheese.
• Chill: To let the flavors combine, cover and place in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
• Serve: If wanted, top with fresh basil or parsley prior to serving. Enjoy after gently tossing to mix the layers!

You may serve this layered pasta salad as a cool side dish or at potlucks and picnics.