Ingredients

  • Salad Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 2 pinches fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 mild red onion, sliced thinly
  • Salad
  • 1 large head green leaf lettuce
  • 1 cup chopped tomato
  • 1/4 lb thinly sliced pepperoni
  • 2 (4 ounce) cans sliced olives
  • 1/2 lb queso ranchero or 1/2 lb feta
  • garlic salt
  • Pasta
  • 1 (12 ounce) package jumbo pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 4 quarts water

Method

  • Assemble the salad dressing an hour ahead, so the onion and salad dressing have time to blend but the onion is still crunchy.
  • Bring the water to a boil with the salt. Add the pasta and cook for 12 minutes. Drain immediately and cool completely.
  • Chop the romaine, tomatoes and pepperoni. Drain and add the olives. Crumble the cheese over the salad.
  • Toss the salad dressing and salad. The dressing will be clumpy. Add the dressing a little at a time, being careful to not add too much. Add garlic salt to taste.
  • (I usually spoon out the onions with a large non-slotted spoon. I use the dressing that comes along with the onions, leaving any excess dressing for another day.).
  • Fill the pasta shells.