Last month, I signed up to bring pasta salad to a potluck.  In typical me fashion, I decided that I had to make it myself.  After cruising the internet for a bit, I came across a recipe with smoked gouda, which was all I needed to be sold.  Roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts?  Total bonus.

I choose to use gemelli for my pasta because it is my favorite and it is really structurally sound – it holds up to anything.  While that was boiling, I diced up my roasted peppers and artichoke hearts (I was lucky to find grilled ones at the store).  I had a couple of tomatoes hanging around, so I chopped those up and threw them in too.  After I rinsed the pasta in cold water (normally a big no-no, but good for pasta salads), I tossed it with the veggies and the cubed gouda.

Then came the dressing, where I inexplicably decided to take the opposite route and go quick and easy.  I used mayonnaise and bottled Italian dressing and it came out just right – light and flavorful.  You are of course welcome to make your own dressing from scratch.  Top with fresh herbs and go!  This is hearty and fresh and super yummy – it was very popular at the potluck, thank goodness! (more…)