Southwest Pasta Salad

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to summer. With summer comes trips to the lake, the pool, and road trips. Have a fun picnic this summer with a cool yet spicy pasta salad. This isn't your boring Italian dressing and some pasta pasta salad. NO SIR. This is a spicy pasta salad. A southwest pasta salad if you will. 

Ingredients:

1 box of tri color rotini

mini pepperonis 

shredded cheese - I had the fiesta blend from Kraft

Cesar dressing

spices - paprika, chipotel  powder, garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder

Directions:

Cook pasta according to directions on the box. Season the water with pepper and garlic powder while bringing to a boil. Cook to al dente.

Drain pasta and pour into bowl. Pour a fair amount of dressing on the pasta but not enough to drown it. Lighter is better. 

Season with the spices and mix together. Add pepperoni and cheese.

Chill in fridge.

You could also sub the pepperoni with grilled chicken!