Balsamic Pasta Salad

A quick, light and flavorful side dish for any cookout or summer meal.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup  balsamic vinegar
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  teaspoons dry basil
• 2  teaspoons parmesan cheese
• 1 1⁄2 cups small shell pasta, of choice uncooked
• 3⁄4 cup broccoli, chopped into small flowerettes
• 1  red pepper, chopped fine
• 1  green onion, sliced fine

Directions

1. Whisk first 6 ingredients together to prepare the dressing mix, set aside.
2. Cook the pasta of your choice.
3. While pasta is cooking, chop broccoli and blanch for 2 minutes.
4. Combine cooked pasta, blanched broccoli, chopped red pepper and sliced green onion.
5. Pour dressing mix on top of pasta mixture; toss to coat.
6. Chill until ready to serve.
7. **Note: Preparation can be accomplished while pasta is cooking, making this a very quick dish**.