For a main dish recipe of this for our family of nine, we cook:
One pound of pasta shells (al Dente)
Then we had 3 ripe tomatoes, diced (or about a pint of grape tomatoes, halved)
1/2 pound of fresh green beans that have been halved, cleaned, and then blanched. or you could just steam 1/2 a pound of frozen green beans. Steam them just until they are a brilliant green, not until they are mushy.
1 large bell pepper, cored seeded, and diced. Yellow is better, because that’s what makes this a ‘primary’ salad- the green beans being the ‘blue’ vegetable. Two peppers is better, but yellow peppers are not always reasonably priced.
Toss all this lightly in a large bowl.
The Dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup red wine vinegar dressing
3 tablespoons of chopped cilantro (you can substitute or combine basil and parsely)
1 minced clove garlic
Whisk these dressing ingredients together, then combine with salad.
You need to eat this the same day- between the cheese and the diced tomatoes it can go a bit mushy on you if you keep it overnight.
If you want more protein in it you could dice ham, add bacon, or boil a few eggs and slice them over the top of the salad.