I’m not going to lie. Any meal you can prepare and eat all week is a gift. And if it’s easily prepared? Bonus!

My boyfriend’s mom from time to time whips up some great dishes that are a fall back all week when you don’t feel like creating a whole dinner, if you’re running late in the morning and need to put together a quick lunch, or for a snack on the weekends when you are watching marathons of Say Yes to the Dress. Ahem. We don’t do that or anything……..

I was never much of a fan of leftovers, for whatever reason. My mom makes killer mashed potatoes but I would not eat them leftover. They aren’t the same!!!! I promise, I’m growing up, Mom! Anything that makes my life easier is a-okay in my book now.

So one of my favorite things that my boyfriend’s mom makes is her pasta salad. She changes up the dressing she uses quite often, but her latest concoction has been my favorite! Seriously, I shovel this stuff…

And it’s so easy!!! Keep reading for the yummy recipe!

Pasta and Veggie Salad made with Red Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil Dressing

Prep time: 30 minutes, tops!!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 box of Tri Color Rotini pasta (you can use any kind, this just holds the dressing really well!!!)
• 1 bottle of Red Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil dressing (any brand will do, and you can use it as sparsely or as liberally as you would like!)
• 2 cups of assorted vegetables
• 1 can of shaker grated Parmasean (this is entirely optional, I like to sprinkle a little on mine after I scoop some out

Directions:

1. Boil the pasta until it is cooked to your desired firmness. I like to make the pasta pretty squishy because it contrasts well with the crunchy vegetables!
2. While the pasta is boiling, dice up your assortment of veggies. She usually puts onions, peppers, carrots, and tomatoes. She has been known to also throw in some black beans!!!
3. Once the pasta is strained and cooled, through it in a bowl with the veggies and add in the red wine vinegar and olive oil dressing. Toss and mix until everything in the bowl is lightly “dressed”!
4. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, it’s that easy. I like to throw it in the fridge for a few minutes, but I have also been known to dive right in!

And if you make a whole box worth of pasta, this can easily last all week for a couple of people. Last time she made some, she made two boxes of it and split between 3 people, it lasted a little over a week!