ReciMeals are designed to be complete meals that only need to be accompanied by a beverage, and sometimes a side salad or slice of bread. A ReciMeal provides significant amounts of at least three of the following from the five MyPyramid food groups: about 1/2 cup of fruits, 1/2 cup of vegetables, 1 ounce equivalent of grain foods, 2 ounces or the equivalent of lean meat or beans or 1 cup or the equivalent of milk per recipe serving.

A classic, four-bean side salad becomes a hearty main dish in this ReciMeal. The more varieties of protein- and fiber-rich beans, the better in this recipe! This pasta salad made with hearty canned beans and ham is the perfect dish that doesn’t require cooking.

3 cups cooked rotini or elbow pasta
1 can (15 ounces) four-bean salad*
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette
1 can (5 ounces) ham
1 large tomato, chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley

In a medium bowl combine pasta, four-bean salad, black beans, celery, green pepper, red onion and vinaigrette. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or overnight.

Before serving, gently combine pasta mixture with ham, tomato and parsley.

*Four-bean salad can be substituted with a mix of 1/3 cup of canned green beans, 1/3 cup yellow beans and 1/3 cup kidney beans.

Calories 320; Total fat 8g; Saturated fat 1.5g; Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 900mg; Carbohydrate 49g; Fiber 8g; Protein 14g; Vitamin A 15%DV**; Vitamin C 30%DV; Calcium 8%DV; Iron 20%DV

Per serving, this dish provides from MyPyramid: About 1/2 cup Vegetable Group; 1 ounce Grains Group; 2 ounces Meat and Beans Group

**Daily Value