GREEN MACHINE PASTA SALAD

This salad tastes like summer, fresh and light!  A great start to kick off this sunny warm weather we are having. 😊 It is quick, easy and healthy!  Much like famous pasta salad, but less calories WITHOUT loosing flavor!  Only 172 calories per serving!

Begin by boiling your pasta until it reaches al dente, (9-10 min) once cooked strain in strainer and rinse in cold water to speed up the cooling process.  Next, stir in little drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Cut vegetables into uniformed bite sized pieces.

 Add vegetables to cooled, drained pasta.  Next add Parmesan cheese, and lightly toss.

Add Italian Dressing to the pasta (start with a little, you can always add more...) you want just enough to coat the pasta and veggies.

 

Toss salad to make sure dressing is evenly distributed. 

Lastly, squeeze 1/2 a lemon into the pasta and give it a final toss.  This brightens up the taste of the salad and gives it a clean crisp flavor.

Enjoy your healthy, veggie-filled salad as a side to your next bbq or dinner!  Bring on summer!!

GREEN MACHINE PASTA SALAD

Serves 10-12 people

172 calories per serving

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) Tri-Color Rotini Pasta/ (or Garden Roini) 

1 large Green Pepper

1 cup fresh Spinach Leaves

1 Cucumber

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese

1/2 (16 oz bottle) Lite Italian Dressing 

1/2 Lemon

2 tsp Salad Supreme Seasoning (optional)

Directions:

1. Boil pasta (according to package) until al dente (soft, but still has a bite too it... not mushy).  Drain pasta and rinse in cold water. 

***TIP-drizzle a little olive oil onto drained pasta to prevent sticking (VERY LITTLE)

2. Rinse and cut up veggies, into bite sized uniform pieces.

3. Lightly toss veggies and shredded cheese into the pasta.

4. Add the seasoning and  LITE Italian dressing, I only used about 1/3-1/2 of the 16 oz bottle.  Start with a little and slowly add more, you just want the pasta and veggies lightly coated.

5. Refrigerate until ready to eat.  (the longer the better, I have done as little as 30 min and as long and overnight).

ENJOY!!