Italian Pasta Salad

-tomatoes

-cucumbers

-crumbled bacon

-cubed cheese

-fresh grated parmesan cheese

-italian salad dressing

-tortellini

-mini bow ties

(you can also add chopped peperoni and sliced olives if desired)

Boil pastas according to directions. My favorite dried tortellini is the Four Cheese Tortellini from Barilla. I had to use up some other stuff this time that I picked up at Costco. While the pasta is cooking, chop tomatoes and cucumbers. Place in a large bowl. Add crumbled bacon. You can cook and crumble your own bacon, but I took the easy route and used real bacon bits. Cube cheese (I like sharp cheddar and swiss or mozerella, but you can add whatever you have on hand). Add fresh grated parmesan cheese. When pasta is done, strain and rinse under cold water until noodles have cooled. When cool, toss with remaining ingredients and pour italian salad dressing over, continuing to toss. You can use low fat italian or even homemade italian dressing...anything with work. Refrigerate for a few hours before serving. Keep in air tight container in fridge.