Pasta Salad, Italian Style

This is an easy recipe that can be varied to use the ingredients you have on hand. It's a tasty accompaniment (great with hamburgers!) or, if made with tortellini, could even be a light supper.

Pasta Salad, Italian Style

Dry pasta (any small shape), 8 ounces--or frozen cheese tortellini, about 13 ounces

Olive oil, about 1/4 cup

Fresh garlic, about 3 cloves, minced

Fresh basil, about 3 tablespoons, cut into strips

Balsamic vinegar, about 1/4 cup

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional additions: tomatoes, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese, olives, pepperoni, etc., all cut into small bite-size pieces

Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, mix olive oil and garlic in small bowl. Drain pasta and transfer to medium bowl; add balsamic vinegar and mix to coat. Add oil mixture and remaining ingredients; mix to coat. Chill thoroughly.

Notes: I usually make this with tortellini and tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella if I have it on hand. This weekend I used the ingredients I had: pasta and pepperoni. The pasta version is much less expensive, because most of the ingredients are staples in my kitchen.

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