Fresh Pomodoro Pasta, White Beans & Olives

From EatingWell: August/September 2005, EatingWell Serves Two — Subscribe Now!

Capture the flavor of vine-ripe tomatoes with this elegant yet ultra-quick fresh tomato sauce. Although it's an uncooked sauce, the beans are heated briefly in the olive oil and garlic just to flavor them.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I thought this was great!! And it was so easy. I had some leftover grilled chicken which I added for meat eaters such as my husband. I didn't have the oil cured olives so I used canned black olives which were okay, but I can see that...

Fresh Pomodoro Pasta, White Beans & Olives Recipe

4 servings

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

8 ounces whole-wheat pasta shells, tubetti, ziti or rigatoni
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 pound ripe tomatoes, diced (about 3 cups)
1/4 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted (see Tip) and chopped
1/2 cup sliced fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Preparation

Put a large pot of water on to boil. Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add beans and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until the beans are just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add tomatoes, olives, basil, salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine. To serve, divide the pasta among 4 plates and top with sauce and cheese. Makes 4 servings.

Tips & Notes

Tip: Press down on olives with the side of a heavy knife to split them open and make removing the pits easier.

Nutrition

Per serving: 508 calories; 16 g fat (3 g sat, 6 g mono); 4 mg cholesterol; 63 g carbohydrates; 16 g protein; 13 g fiber; 865 mg sodium; 628 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value), Iron (35% dv), Folate (32% dv), Potassium (27% dv).

4 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 1/2 starch, 3 vegetable, 1 very lean meat, 2 fat