Pepperoncini & Jarlsberg Cheese Pasta Salad

If you are looking for a quick yet flavorful pasta salad with a kick...here it is!  I raided my fridge and pantry and found  black olives, tomatoes and carrots, so in they went.  I wanted a kick so I threw in some chopped pepperoncini and some red pepper flakes.  To counteract that I added in a bunch of dices Jarlsberg Minis, seasoned it, grabbed some basil from out back and whall-lah!a fast and flavorful pasta salad!

Pepperoncini & Jarlsberg Pasta Salad
1 pound Rigatoni (or your favorite pasta for pasta salad)
1 cup of diced grape tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup black pitted olives, sliced
1/2 cup to 1 cup of chopped 1 inch long segments of pepperoncini
1/2 cup freshly torn basil
1/4 cup grapeseed or olive oil
2 TBS of the pepperoncini juice
8 Jarlsberg Minis, quartered
Red pepper flakes to taste
Kosher salt & pepper to taste (or your favorite salt blend)

Cook your pasta according to package directions for al dente.  Drain and run under cold water to cool. Toss with a small amount of olive oil and cover until ready to toss.  Add in the remaining ingredients, toss and serve.  If you are making this ahead of time, cover tightly and refresh with a slash of oil before serving.

Enjoy!!