This pasta salad is the ultimate Guessipe, because you can mix and match ingredients and dressing in any way you like. I love it for using up leftovers to quickly and conveniently toss together a tasty dish that works as a side or main dish depending on how hearty you want to make it.

Guessipe

• pasta cooked to al dente (I used spirals, but use whatever kind you have/like)
• spinach, torn into bite-sized pieces
• carrots, sliced
• red onion, diced
• cheddar cheese, diced
• dressing (sometimes I make a mixture of olive oil, whatever vinegar I have on hand, and Italian and all-purpose seasonings; sometimes I just use Italian dressing out of a bottle if I happen to have it)
• pesto
• parmesan cheese, shredded

Mix all your pasta salad fixings together. Drizzle with dressing and toss with a spoonful of pesto. Top with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.

I listed above some suggestions for pasta salad fixings and dressing, but really you can use whatever ingredients you prefer and/or have on hand. Adding diced tomato is nice, or some cubed chicken/ham/turkey if you want to make a meal of it. Throw in apple or pear slices for a little sweetness. Use any bits and bobs of veg and fruit based on your taste – it all works!