Easy Summer Pasta Salad

Here is my recipe for pasta salad. I make it once a week in the summer and is great for lunch, snack or a side dish. I only make it when the peppers become cheaper though, otherwise it can get pricey.

SUMMER PASTA SALAD

1 box of rotini pasta
(I stocked up on the Smart Taste when it was free at Kroger's Mega Ten)
1/2 a bottle of Italian Dressing(I like Robusto)
(Again got it for $.24 at Target when stacked Target and Wishbone coupons)
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 large tomato diced or a handful of grape tomatoes halved
1/2 sweet red onion diced(add more or less to your taste or if it a strong onion)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese ( I get it at BJ's where price per pound is lowest)
Italian Seasoning to taste(I put this in everything so I get the big bottle from BJ's)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook pasta to al dente, rinse in cold water and drain well (should be damp, not wet!). In a large bowl, mix drained pasta with the rest of the ingredients and toss well, tasting for seasoning and extra cheese. Serve room temp or chilled. Enjoy!

Easy-Peasy Cole Slaw Recipe

I especially love Cole Slaw with minced pork bbq and hot dogs and here is my super easy recipe:

1 bag of Angel Hair Cole Slaw
1 lg. carrot grated
1/2 jar of Marzetti's Cole Slaw dressing
Celery seeds
salt and pepper

Mix first three in a large bowl. Sprinkle on last two to taste.

Recipe: Roasted Tomato Penne

I love this dish and it is super cheap!!!

Roasted Tomato Penne
1-2 pts. of Cherry or Grape Tomatoes(look for sales and amount is to taste)
1 box Whole Wheat Penne Pasta (get yours free at Kroger with Ronzoni coupon this week)
1 handful of fresh basil(this is easy to grow in the garden!!)
2 roasted red peppers ($1.00 a jar at the Dollartree)
pine nuts(best deal at Trader Joe's 1 lb for $8?)
garlic
olive oil
Italian seasoning
balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper

Chop up the tomatoes and peppers to dice size. On a baking sheet, toss with a liberal amount of olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Roast at 375f for 10-20 minutes- keep watch. When almost done, add a dollop of garlic and chopped basil, mix, sprinkle with more olive oil and roast 3-5 more minutes(watch that garlic doesn't burn).  Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente and drain. Put back in pasta pan, scrape tomato goodness in the pasta. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and toss with pine nuts to taste. Serve with Caesar salad and warm rolls.
Enjoy!
I would love feedback on this or any other post!