A generous dose of red pepper flakes add a fiery flair and taste to this colorful pasta and veggie salad with cubes of fontina cheese, crumbled American Grana® and crisp bacon tossed in your favorite Italian salad dressing.

Peppy Pasta Salad

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 slender asparagus spears, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups yellow squash, cut into half rounds
3/4 cup red pepper, diced
1 cup packed arugula leaves, coarsely chopped
3 green onions, sliced
2 slices bacon, cooked crisp, diced
12 ounces short pasta (campanelle or rotini), cooked, drained, rinsed and cooled
1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) Wisconsin Fontina cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1/4 cup American Grana® Cheese, grated
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste

1. In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, asparagus, squash and red pepper; cook for 3 minutes, or until vegetables are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in arugula, green onions and bacon; remove from heat.
2. In a large serving bowl, combine pasta, vegetables, Fontina, Parmesan, Italian dressing, salt and red pepper flakes; toss well and serve.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.