Easy Potluck Pasta Salad

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I made this pasta salad for a cookout with friends this weekend. Its so easy to make and infinitely adaptable based on whatever you have in your fridge, or what looks good at the grocery store— I usually try to get ingredients that vary in color to make this dish look prettier. You can make your own salad dressing, or use bottled (I used bottled this time, oops). Occasionally I make this same dish but with a greek flare (using pasta, marinated artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, feta, and greek dressing). By no means is this gourmet or even impressive, but its cold and fresh and it tastes pretty darn good when accompanied by a burger and a cold beer. 

• 1 pound (16 oz.) rotini (spiral) pasta
• 2 bell peppers (I usually use 1 orange & 1 yellow)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 red onion
• Broccoli florets
• feta cheese 
• ~ 1 1/2 cups italian-like dressing

Boil the pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool to the touch. Pour into a large bowl and add the above ingredients (chopping the onion, peppers, and tomatoes however you like). Pour the dressing over the pasta and add the feta cheese and mix well.