Quick Pasta Salad

It's all about quick and easy when you have nine people to feed for dinner! This Quick Pasta Salad recipe has always been a favorite at our house and my kids invariably ask for it when home for a visit. With a minimum of ingredients, no muss or fuss, it's a great Go To recipe for every day and can be made ahead.
INGREDIENTS
1 16 oz. box pasta (we like tri color spirals)
1 bottle good Italian dressing (Newman's own is great)
1 8 oz block cheddar cheese
1 can small black olives
1 box grape tomatoes
4 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 to 1 lb. sliced Lebanon bologna, cut into small pieces
1 red pepper, diced
1 green pepper, diced

Cook pasta as directed on box; drain and rinse in cold water. Put in large bowl, and add remaining ingredients except Italian dressing. Toss together.
Add enough Italian dressing to suit your family's taste. I usually add part of the bottle to begin with, and sometimes a little more at serving time, if I have made the salad in the morning.

PARMESAN ORZO

My 13 year old son loves pasta, but he hates red sauce! I've had to find other ways to serve pasta that he will eat. One way is with my quick and easy Parmesan Orzo recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1 - 1 lb. box Orzo, Acine Di Pepe, or mini Wagon Wheels pasta

1 bunch Spring Onions (scallions)

1 Ham Steak (we like Hatfield's honey ham or traditional ham steak)

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta to Al Dente stage and drain. Finely dice ham steak and chop onions; mix butter, Parmesan, ham, onions and seasonings in with pasta.

This makes a maindish at our house; it's great served with a big green salad on the side. Enjoy!