Crunchy Asian Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is pasta salad, right? 

Wrong!

You absolutely cannot go wrong with this delicious Asian-inspired take on the traditional pasta side dish. Serve it up with a steak or grilled chicken, and you are ready to go for a great, easy meal!

Over the summer, I took my mom and my husband's grandma to a local winery where you can pack a picnic lunch and sit by the pond, while enjoying a delicious glass of wine! I packed up this pasta salad, with some cheese and crackers, and some fantastic peach muffins! Mike's gram couldn't quit raving about the pasta salad! 

I guess what I'm trying to say is...make this. You won't regret it :)

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: about 8 servings

Ingredients: 

• 1 box Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad original pasta salad mix
• 1 (3 oz.) package Oriental Ramen
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 Tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 cups coleslaw mix
• 1 cup snow peas, strings removed, cut in half or in thirds
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted**
• 1 (15 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

**To toast the almonds, place them in a small skillet over medium heat. Shake occasionally until the almonds become slightly golden, about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to watch out! If almonds become burnt or too dark, they won't taste quite as good!

Directions: 

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. In the last 2 minutes that the pasta is cooking, add the snow peas to the boiling water. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. In a medium measuring cup, combine the two seasoning mixes from the pasta and from the Ramen. Add the sugar, oil, vinegar, water, and soy sauce.
3. Add the drained mandarin oranges to the pasta, along with the coleslaw and almonds. Pour in the sauce. Mix well to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate.
4. Just before serving, crush up the Ramen and sprinkle over the pasta. Enjoy!!

Source:  Betty Crocker