IT'S PASTA WEEK!

Here are the nominees for week #5. You have until Thursday, June 12 at 9am CST to cast your vote.

Recipe #1: Greek Pasta with Tomatoes and White Beans

Yield: 4 servings
Source: Cooking Light, JANUARY 1998
CL Comments: You can vary the recipe by using chickpeas instead of cannellini beans and grated Romano cheese in place of feta.
Amy's Comments: Great weeknight meal! I loved the flavors and it was very hearty and healthy! A keeper for sure.

INGREDIENTS:
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10-ounce) bag fresh spinach, chopped (about 8 cups)
4 cups hot cooked penne (about 1/2-pound uncooked tubular-shaped pasta)
1/2 cup (2 ounces) finely crumbled feta cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine tomatoes and beans in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Add spinach; cook 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring occasionally. Place 1 cup pasta on each of four plates; top each serving with 1 1/4 cups sauce and 2 tablespoons cheese.

NUTRITIONAL INFO:
Healthy Units: 8 per serving (if you go by the recipe builder - 9 if you go by the nutritionals ... Im leaning for 8 because this is too healthy to be any more!) CALORIES 474(12% from fat); FAT 6.4g (sat 2.5g,mono 1.3g,poly 1.6g); PROTEIN 22.5g; CHOLESTEROL 13mg; CALCIUM 343mg; SODIUM 1553mg; FIBER 10.6g; IRON 8.3mg; CARBOHYDRATE 84.7g

Recipe #2: Chicken Bow-Tie Pasta Salad
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/Recipes/RecipeDetail?adv=gadget_view&recipe_id=106244&pf=true

Prep Time:25 min
Total Time:25 min
Makes:4 servings, 2 cups each

INGREDIENTS
2 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 pkg. (6 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Grilled Chicken Breast Strips
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or 1 large tomato, cut into chunks
1/2 cup KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
1/2 cup KRAFT Natural 2% Milk Reduced Fat Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese Crumbles
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

COOK pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 2 min. of the pasta cooking time; drain.

TOSS chicken, tomatoes, dressing, cheese crumbles and olives in large bowl. Add pasta mixture; mix lightly.

SPRINKLE with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe #3: Double Cheese Pasta Primavera
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/double-cheese-pasta-primavera-104999.aspx


Prep Time:10 min
Total Time:25 min
Makes:4 servings, 1-1/2 cups each

INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg. (12 oz.) VELVEETA Shells & Cheese Dinner Made With 2% Milk Cheese
2 Tbsp. KRAFT Light Zesty Italian Reduced Fat Dressing
1 cup broccoli florets
1 red pepper, cut into strips
1 cup frozen baby peas
1/4 tsp. dried basil leaves, crushed
2 Tbsp. KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:

PREPARE Dinner as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, heat dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add broccoli and peppers; cook and stir 5 min. or until crisp-tender. Stir in peas; cook 3 to 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

ADD prepared Dinner and basil; mix lightly. Top with the Parmesan cheese.