Tip 4: Dressing up a boxed Pasta Salad Mix

I got a really good deal on boxed pasta salad mixes a couple of months ago and stocked up. They are fast and easy to make, but definitely taste "boxed." Here is a tip to spice them up a bit.

I used a Bacon Ranch Pasta mix (cooked by the box directions) and then added the following:

• 1/3 cup Miracle Whip
• 3 Tablespoons Ranch dressing
• 2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/3 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

The hubby and one of our guests (who helped me in the kitchen) both mentioned that they would have never guessed it was a box mix unless they had already known!

Here are a couple other things you can add to box mix pasta salads -
Olives, cheese (grated, shredded, crumbled, etc.), crumbled croutons, pickled peppers, red onions, cooked chicken, ham chunks...and the list could go on and on. Bottom line - don't be afraid to experiment with changes and additions to a box mix, make it your own!