Meals Matter

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Contributed By: EatingWell
Eatingwell

Use any vegetable in place of pungent broccoli rabe to make this a family-pleaser. Make it a Meal: round out the meal with a fresh salad of cherry tomatoes and cucumbers tossed with extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Ingredients

8 ounces Whole-wheat shells, fusilli or chiocciole

1 Large bunch broccoli rabe, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces, or 8 cups baby spinach

1 1/2 cups Vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon All-purpose flour

2 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil

4 cloves Garlic, minced

1 19-ounce Can cannellini beans, rinsed

2 tablespoons Red-wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup Shredded fontina cheese

2/3 cup Toasted Breadcrumbs, optional (see Tip)

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, according to package directions. Stir in broccoli rabe (or spinach) during the last 2 to 3 minutes. Drain. Dry the pot.

2. Whisk broth and flour in a small bowl until smooth. Heat oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the broth mixture and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Add beans, vinegar, salt and pepper and the pasta and broccoli rabe (or spinach). Cook, stirring, until the mixture is heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat; add cheese, stirring until it melts. Serve immediately, topped with Toasted Breadcrumbs, if using.

Cook's Notes

Tip: Tip To make toasted breadcrumbs, trim the crusts from 2 slices of whole-wheat sandwich bread. Tear the bread into pieces and process in a food processor into coarse crumbs. Toss breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.

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