Creamy Pasta Salad

Life has been rich and full this past week. We cared for our soon-to-be 2-year-old grandson twice this week, on Tuesday and again today while our daughter visited her doctor for her 13-week pregnancy checkup. Yes, we will be grandparents again next March ♥. Today, before our daughter left for her appointment, she joined me for lunch and I made this pasta salad which is loaded with wonderful ingredients.

I've had this recipe for years and, unfortunately, I can't give proper credit but I always preferred to use fresh herbs rather than dried in the summer.. My garden is still full of wonderful herbs and my own cherry tomatoes were used in the salad.

Chickpeas and freshly grated Parmesan for protein, with fresh organic radishes and red pepper for crunch!

A side platter of fresh fruit made for a perfect lunch for me, my daughter and future grand-baby :)

Creamy Pasta Salad
Printable Recipe

8 oz dry pasta (I use bows - Farfalle)
1 15-oz can garbanzo beans, drained
6 oz sliced, drained black olives
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup thinly sliced green peppers
1 cup seeded and quartered cherry tomatoes
½ cup sliced radishes
1 16-oz jar good produce-section reduced fat Ranch Dressing
1 Tablespoon basil, chopped
1 Tablespoon oregano, chopped
1/2 Teaspoon minced garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 Teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cook and drain pasta according to directions on package. Cool under cold running water. Mix with the rest of the salad ingredients and chill.