Broccoli Pasta With Creamy Garlic Dressing

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 tablespoon pesto sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 2/3 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 bunch broccoli, cut into pieces
• 1/2 lb pasta shells
• 1/3 cup nuts (walnuts, sunflower seeds)
• 1/3 cup garbanzo beans (optional)

Recipe

• 1 prepare dressing first by beating together mayonnaise and yogurt until smooth.
• 2 add next seven ingredients.
• 3 cover and refrigerate while you prepare the salad.
• 4 bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• 5 cook pasta as directed, dropping in broccoli pieces in last 2 minutes to blanch.
• 6 drain pasta and broccoli, rinse with cold water.
• 7 remove as much water from salad as possible.
• 8 stir in nuts and garbanzos.
• 9 add dressing.
• 10 let sit at least 30 minutes before serving; the flavors will come out best if salad is at room temperature.