This is my version of the pasta salad. My recipes tend to be more free-style, but maybe I’ll work out a formalized recipe later.

• boil medium shells until they are done (as much as you want to make—one pound makes more than enough for a potluck)

• drain, then rinse thoroughly with cold water until the pasta is cold

• add a big dollup of mayonaise

• pour in a larger dollup of ranch dressing

• liberally sprinkle with parmesean

• add cooked peas (make sure these are cool before adding)

• add grated carrots

• mix

• taste it

• if it doesn’t taste strong enough, add more ranch and parmesean

If you are going to serve it the next day or later:

• add more mayo, ranch, and parmesean right before serving