8 Cheese Pasta Salad

Are you looking for a great dish to take to a family get together? How about a church pot luck supper? Well, whatever the occasion I've got just the dish for you. How about an 8 Cheese Pasta Salad? If it has 8 cheeses it has to be good. Right?

I've made this dish for several years. It's really quite easy and versatile. It takes about an hour to make and must chill at least 24 hours. Here are tonight's cast of characters:

Ingredients for 8 Cheese Pasta Salad

1 head of broccoli, chopped
1 head of cauliflower, chopped
1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped very fine
2 tomatoes
1 jar capers
1 small jar pamintos
1 small can sliced black olives
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 bottle Italian salad dressing
1 cup 4 cheese Mexican cheese
1 cup 4 cheese Italian cheese
1 box colored garden Rotini pasta

To begin, cook the pasta according to package direction. Once cooked drain water and run pasta under cold water to cool and to stop cooking process.

While pasta is cooling chop the broccoli and cauliflower into bite size pieces, discarding the stems. After chopping you want to get all the 'bits' off of the chopping board and add to the salad. Next, chop the 1/2 onion into very small pieces. You do not want big chunks. By cutting into very small pieces the onion will basically melt away, leaving the juices to flavor the dish.  Finally, chop the tomato into bite size pieces and add to the salad.

After all the chopping add the canned black olives, capers, and pimentos.  Use a large serving spoon to blend well. Next, wish together the 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and bottle of Italian dressing. Pour on top of the salad. Add both cheeses and pasta and blend once again. Put in the fridge to let the flavors meld and to chill the salad at least 24 hours. That's it. It's all done. 

Did I say versatility? You can substitute or add the veggies of your choice. On this occasion I didn't have carrots. But, carrots make a great addition. Also, if you don't like something just leave it out. Want a main dish? Add ham chunks. Don't like mayo? Just add Italian dressing.

This dish is sure to please the crowd no matter what. I've got nothing but compliments from the first time I made it. All that's left now is to serve it up and enjoy!