Three Bean And Broccoli Pasta Salad

Total Time: 20 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 (15 ounce) can 3 bean mix (read is the brand i find)
• 1 (8 ounce) box thin spaghetti
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen broccoli (spears)
• 1/2 cup vinaigrette dressing
• fresh cracked pepper
• salt

Recipe

• 1 bring 3 qts water to boil.
• 2 while bringing water to a boil, set frozen broccoli pkg in microwave to defrost for approximately 6-7 minutes.
• 3 open, drain, and rinse canned 3 bean salad in colander.
• 4 when water is boiling, add pasta> boil pasta for 8-9 minutes to al dente.
• 5 as noodles are cooking, prepare the broccoli> cut stems away from broccoli flowerettes> cut flowerettes into bite-sized pieces> use the stem portion as well if you prefer.
• 6 place broccoli pieces and rinsed/drained bean salad in mixing bowl.
• 7 once noodles are cooked, remove and strain in colander while running cold water over noodles to stop cooking, and cool down the pasta> with a sharp knife or kitchen scissors cut up pasta slightly (if using long noodles).
• 8 once cooled and drained place pasta in mixing bowl with bean salad and broccoli.
• 9 in measuring cup pour dressing (s) of choice to 1/2 cup measure> blend if using multiple dressings>*i use a combination of newmans light balsamic vineagrette and kraft fat free caeser italian.
• 10 pour dressing over salad and add fresh cracked pepper and salt to your liking>*i use about 1 1/2 tbs of salt to cut the sweetness of the bean salad.
• 11 mix gently and well> nice if chilled, but if time does not allow, it can be eaten immediately.
• 12 some add-in ideas: diced cucumber, tomato, black olives, onion, chicken/ham, sunflower seeds.