Garlic Caesar Tortellini Salad

My version has a bit more kick with garlic and fresh basil. Great for Summertime grilling as a side or add sliced chicken for a main dish.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1 (13 ounce) package  cheese tortellini
• 1  teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup parmesan cheese
• 3  garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 (8 ounce) can black olives
• 4 -5  tablespoons basil, fresh chiffonade
• 15  ounces  caesar salad dressing, divided (don't skimp)
• 1 (16 ounce) package croutons
• 1 (16 ounce) bag  salad greens, romaine

Directions

1. Cook torellini.
2. Drain.
3. Rinse several times in strainer.
4. In a fairly large bowl mix first 7 ingredients with 1/4 jar of dressing. (****please note: The jarred dressing (I like Marzetti's Caeser Supreme) is really thick so I typically use 1/4 the jar to toss the pasta with ingredients and then add water and shake well.).
5. Allow mixture to marry a few hours and chill 2-3 hours in refrigerator.
6. Before serving add lettuce and 1/2 jar of dressing.
7. Use enough to coat the lettuce and remoisten the pasta mixture.
8. Top with croutons.