Pasta Salad with White Beans

By Tonya_Speed

Per Serving: 424 Calories; 21g Fat; 12g Protein; 46g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 14mg Cholesterol; 409mg Sodium. Exchanges: 3 Grain (Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 3 1/2 Fat.

Ingredients

• 1 (16-oz.) package fusilli pasta
• 1 cup canned white beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 ounces smoked turkey or regular ham, chopped (or omit)
• 4 plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and cut in long, thin slices
• 10 Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (or use black olives)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• EASY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, make dressing (see below) Drain cooked pasta, rinse under cold water and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine remaining salad ingredients, add the pasta, vinaigrette and toss lightly to mix.

Dressing: Mix all ingredients together, whisking the olive oil in gradually at the end, until dressing is slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.