Makeover Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Makeover Italian Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Here’s the perfect side dish for summer picnics or fall potlucks—and no one would ever guess that it’s been slimmed down. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

This recipe is:

Healthy

Quick

Diabetic Friendly

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Makeover Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Prep:25 min. + chilling

Yield: 8 Servings

15 10 25

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked whole wheat spiral pasta
1-1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup fat-free Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup cubed provolone cheese
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water and drain. Place in a large bowl; add the tomatoes, mushrooms, salad dressing, peppers and onions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese; stir in provolone cheese and olives. Gently fold into the pasta mixture. Chill until serving. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Facts 3/4 cup equals 101 calories, 4 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 9 mg cholesterol, 507 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Makeover Italian Pasta Salad in Healthy Cooking August/September 2011, p26

Parmesan Pointers

When a recipe calls for shredded Parmesan cheese, use the cheese found in bags in the grocery store dairy section. Shredded Parmesan is often used in salads or soups where the shreds make a pretty garnish. If grated Parmesan is called for, use the finely grated cheese sold in containers with shaker/pourer tops. This type works well in lasagna and casseroles. (You can substitute either shredded or grated Parmesan in equal proportions in your favorite recipes.) If you decide to buy a chunk of Parmesan cheese and grate your own, be sure to use the finest section on your grating tool. You can also use a blender or food processor. Simply cut the cheese into 1-inch cubes and process 1 cup of cubes at a time on high until finely grated.