Marzetti Italian Four Bean Pasta Salad

Do you dream of faraway Italy, you having lunch at a quaint sidewalk caf©? Or do you dream of renting a countryside Italian villa and having lunch on the cobblestone patio while you gaze out at a grape orchard?

While you might not be able to fly off to Italy, you can enjoy the taste of Italy in your own home and dream of being there. Marzetti Italian Four Bean Pasta Salad sends your mind on a mini-vacation to Italy.

Marzetti Fat Free Italian Dressing is the perfect start to your pasta salad. While it is a healthy fat free product, Marzetti Italian Dressing sacrifices no flavor as a result. You would swear there is oil in the dressing, but there isn't. The blend of vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, bell pepper, spices, and a touch of sweetness will grace your palate with pure pleasure. The tart-sweet flavor of Marzetti Fat Free Italian Dressing perfectly enhances the beans, vegetables, and parmesan cheese in the recipe following.

Marzetti Italian Four Bean Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
2 cans 4-bean salad (beans only, not the marinated kind)
1-2.25 oz. can sliced black olives
1 tomato, diced (chopped)
3 T red onion, chopped
¼ C red roasted peppers (jar), chopped
½ C dried red tomatoes, chopped
½ C fresh shredded (grated) parmesan cheese
4 T Marzetti Fat Free Italian Dressing
2 C farfalle (bow tie) pasta, dry
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Top with fresh shredded (grated) parmesan cheese

In a bowl, combine the 4-bean salad and black olives. Dice the tomato and chop the onion, roasted peppers, and dried red tomatoes. (Dried red tomatoes add texture to the salad and help absorb any excess dressing.) Combine ingredients in a bowl.

Drain any excess liquid before adding parmesan cheese. Add fresh shredded parmesan cheese and toss. Set aside.

Bring slightly salted water to a boil and add farfalle pasta. When the pasta reaches al dente texture, remove it from the stove and drain.

Add pasta to salad mixture and toss. Add Marzetti Fat Free Italian Dressing and toss. Top the bowl or individual serving dishes (pictured) with fresh grated parmesan cheese and serve. Makes about 7 C. Will keep fine overnight.