Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it immediately under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.

While the pasta cools, grab a cucumber and slice it into rounds. Then, using a small knife, carefully carve jack-o-lantern faces into a few of the cucumber slices to add a festive touch. Set aside the decorated pieces.

For added Halloween flair, mix a few drops of natural purple food coloring with a small amount of water in a Ziploc bag. Place the cooled penne pasta inside the bag and toss to coat evenly. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse gently with cold water to remove excess color.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the colored penne pasta with the creatively cut cucumber slices, chopped broccoli, halved cherry tomatoes, and shredded carrots. Sprinkle in your choice of shredded cheese, and drizzle the Italian salad dressing over the top. Gently toss all the ingredients together.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and place the Healthy Halloween Pasta Salad in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. Just before serving, give it a gentle stir and add any extra dressing if desired.