Pasta Salad
with
Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

I like to serve this salad on its own with warm garlic bread but you can also dress it up for a fuller meal simply and easily. See the quick meal ideas below for some great menu planning options.

2-3 servings

You will need 5 ingredients:

- Penne Pasta
- Broccoli
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil
- Bacon (Regular, Turkey or Vegetarian Style)
- Cottage Cheese (Low-Fat or Non-Fat)

Make Ahead for this Salad:

- Prepare pasta and measure out 3 cups

- Steam broccoli and cool

- Cook bacon until crispy and crumble
(for vegetarian bacon - follow package directions and crumble)


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Ingredients:

penne pasta – 3 cups cooked

broccoli – 2 cups cut into bite-size pieces,
lightly steamed and cooled
frozen may be used – just thaw and drain before using

sun-dried tomatoes in oil – 1/4 cup drained and chopped

bacon – 3 slices cooked until crispy and crumbled

cottage cheese – 1/2 cup
choose low-fat or non-fat to lower fat in this recipe

Optional Additions: Fresh basil and/or cilantro
or
Shaved parmesan cheese
or
Black olives


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1. Place the prepared pasta and broccoli along with the sun-dried tomatoes and any optional additions (if using) into a mixing bowl.

2. In another smaller bowl combine the crumbled bacon and the cottage cheese.

3. Add the cottage cheese mixture to the pasta and combine well.


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Light Meal Ideas:

** Serve this quick pasta salad in bowls along with thick slices of warm garlic bread and a side salad of assorted salad greens dressed with a vinaigrette dressing.

** You could also serve this salad on a bed of romaine lettuce along with a simple side dish of mandarin orange segments, sliced red onions and chopped black olives.

Quick Dinner Ideas:

** This delicious pasta recipe goes great when served with grilled chicken breasts and a side of sliced cucumbers and red bell pepper strips toss in a little lemon juice and olive oil.

** Another easy dinner idea is to serve this simple and flavorful quick salad along with a cheese omelet and some toasted whole grain bread or warm breadsticks.

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These easy ingredient exchanges will give you more options for this salad every time you prepare it.


* Instead of Cottage Cheese: try Low-Fat Ricotta Cheese or Low-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt.

* Instead of Sun-Dried Tomatoes: try Roasted Red Peppers or Roasted Eggplant.


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Return from Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Sun-Dried Tomatoes to
Easy Pasta Salad