TUNA STUFFED JUMBO SHELLS

Tuna Stuffed Jumbo Shells

10 jumbo pasta shells

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sugar

1 (12 ounce) cans tuna, drained

1 cup diced celery

1/2 cup diced green onion

1/2 cup diced green pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrot

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon celery seed

1 teaspoon onion powder

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse in cold water and drain. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise and sugar. Stir in tuna, celery, onions, green pepper, carrot and parsley. Spoon into pasta shells; cover and refrigerate.
2. For the dressing, combine sour cream, sugar, vinegar, mayonnaise, celery seed and onion powder.
3. Arrange lettuce, onion rings and shells on a serving platter; drizzle with dressing.

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Italian Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta al dente by following the instructions on the packet.
2. Rinse the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half.
3. Peel and dice the onion.
4. Slice the dried tomatoes and the capicollo into strips.
5. Rinse the rocket and pick the leaves off the basil branches.
6. When the pasta is cooked, drain then run under cold water.
7. Pour into a salad bowl, drizzle with the olive oil and add the other ingredients, except the Parmesan.
8. Season, taste and correct if necessary.
9. Keep a few rocket and basil leaves as well as the Parmesan shavings to garnish before serving.

Ingredients

300 g conchiglie or penne rigate pasta

250 g cherry tomatoes

2 small red onions

2 tbsp. marinated dried tomatoes

4 slices of capicollo

120 g mini Mozzarella balls, strained

50 g shaved Parmesan

25 g rocket

4 branches of small-leafed basil

2 tbsp. capers

2 or 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Tuscan olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

ORZO SALAD

Orzo and Olive Salad
8 Servings.

The orzo can be served alone, over salad greens, in an avocado half or over avocado slices.

1½ cups orzo, cooked according to package directions
4 tablespoons oil from sun dried tomatoes (or olive oil)
1/3 cup oil-packed sundried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons drained capers
½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced, or your favorite green olive
¼ cup chopped red onion
Torn fresh basil leaves to taste or 1 teaspoon dried basil
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar or to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted in ½ teaspoon butter and lightly salted
¼ cup feta or Parmesan cheese
4 avocados, optional
4-6 cups salad greens, optional



Prepare orzo pasta according to package directions; drain and transfer to large salad bowl. Toss with 4 tablespoons oil from sundried tomatoes or olive oil. Allow to cool.

Add chopped tomatoes, capers, olives, onion, basil, garlic and Balsamic vinegar.

Season with red pepper flakes and freshly ground black pepper. 

Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper if needed, then stir in pine nuts.

Top salad with feta or Parmesan cheese.

Serve with avocado or over salad greens if desired.

BACON CHEDDAR RANCH PASTA SALAD

BACON CHEDDAR RANCH PASTA SALAD
Serves: 4

3 cups bow-tie pasta, uncooked
⅔ cup cheddar cheese crumbles
6 slices cooked bacon, diced
2-3 small tomatoes, seeded & diced
⅔ cup fresh broccoli, chopped
⅔ cup red onions, diced
⅓ cup black olives
½ cup mayonnaise (I used Dukes)
½ cup creamy ranch dressing
1 clove garlic, minced
½-1 teaspoon oregano

Cook pasta until al dente. Be careful not overcook.
Drain pasta and rinse with cold water until pasta is cool.
Add drained pasta to a large bowl.
Add in the bacon, broccoli, red onions, black olives, and tomatoes.
Toss to combine. (you may need to add a tiny bit of water to moisten the pasta if it's too sticky to toss)
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, garlic and oregano.
When ready to serve, mix the dressing in with the pasta mixture until well coated.
Serve immediately.

Notes
TIPS~ Feel free to add in your favorite veggies and meats! Dress the pasta salad right when you are ready to serve. If you like a super creamy pasta salad, double to dressing mixture.