Tuscan Pasta Salad

My older daughters and I decided to switch up the menu when we saw Gnocchi Mac & Cheese down for Friday's dinner (we try to keep our Fridays meatless - a traditional day of penance in the Catholic Church).   The Gnocchi Mac & Cheese is delicious, but we all had healthier eating on the brain.  Instead, we opted for a Tuscan Pasta Salad with Italian garlic bread.  It made for a delicious and light dinner!

Tuscan Pasta Salad 

Ingredients - Salad ::
16 ounce bow tie pasta, cooked and then drained in cold water
(1) 7 ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
(1) red bell pepper, diced
(1) 6.5 ounce can sliced olives, drained
1 cup spinach, chopped
1/4 cup basil, chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Ingredients - Dressing ::
3/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp dry oregano
1 tsp dry basil
1 clove garlic
black pepper to taste

Directions ::
1.  In a large bowl, combine pasta, sun dried tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, spinach, basil, and Parmesan cheese.  Toss until combined.

2.  To make the dressing: in a small bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, water, salt, sugar, oregano, basil, garlic, and salt & pepper.

3.  Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and serve.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves: 8

Enjoy!

Patty