Thanks to frozen peas, quick cooking pasta, and commercial dressing, you can make this salad in minutes. I used cut spaghetti because it's what I had, but you may use tiny stars, tubes, spirals, or shells. However, your kids will probably like the cut spaghetti best. Red pepper was added for color and crunch, but if your kids don't like it, leave it out. Here's my recipe for Sweet Pea, Cheese and Pickle Salad with Noodles, an irresistible combination for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
10-ounce package frozen petite peas
2 cups cooked cut spaghetti
1 cup Cheddar cheese, cut into tiny cubes (I used reduced fat cheese.)
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish (more if you love relish)
1 rib of celery, finely diced
1/2 red pepper, finely diced (May be omitted.)
Salt and pepper
Coleslaw dressing (I used Marzetti's light slaw dressing.)
Method
Cook peas until barely done. Rinse with cold water, drain, and transfer to a large bowl. Cook cut spaghetti until barely done. Rinse with cold water, drain, and add to peas. Add cheese cubes, sweet relish, celery and red pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with coleslaw dressing and toss lightly. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill salad for at least an hour to combine flavors. If necessary, add more dressing just before serving. A tasty side dish for hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches, this salad tastes even better the next day. Makes 6-8 servings.
