Italian Pasta Salad

There is nothing fancy about this salad, but considering the fact that I've been making it for the last 18 years, it's a keeper. I love it because it comes together quickly, it's customizable, meets my criteria for a one dish dinner (protein, fiber, and veggies), and everyone in the family will eat it without complaint! This pasta is perfect for a make ahead dish for those nights that you know there isn't going to be much time to make dinner but you still want something healthy and satisfying. I'm writing this they way I typically make it, but you could totally add in some other veggies like cucumbers, tomatoes, raw broccoli, etc. You can even use a different type of pasta. I like to use the Ronzoni Garden Delight Veggie though because it actually contains a 1/2 serving of veggies per serving!

Ingredients:

1 box Ronzoni Garden Delight Veggie pasta

1 can olives, drained

1 can black or white beans, rinsed and drained

1 can whole baby corn, drained and cut into small pieces

Cheddar Cheese, grated or cubed

Cooked and diced chicken

* I love to use Rotisserie Chicken for this

Italian Dressing

*my favorite is the Olive Garden brand

Instructions:

Cook pasta according to instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Pour into a large bowl and mix with olives, beans and corn. Top with cheese, chicken, and dressing as desired.

That's it! Eat immediately, or refrigerate for up to a week :)

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Simple Yet Gourmet

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