Wash and cut romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and other salad ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
Boil pasta noodles in salted water for 8-10 minutes, then drain.
Sauté minced garlic in a pan with olive oil, add the pasta noodles, and season with salt and pepper.
In a bowl, combine the salad ingredients, pasta noodles, and basil pesto or lemon dressing, and toss well.
Serve in a bowl, sprinkle with grated cheese and nuts to finish.