Pasta, Black Bean & Chicken Salad

Serve this substantial main dish salad with thick slices

of warm-from-the-oven sourdough bread.


Pasta:
4 ounces (1 cup) uncooked dried cavatelli pasta or medium pasta shells

Dressing:
2/3 cup Italian salad dressing
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Salad:
1 1/2 cups cubed 1-inch cooked chicken
4 ounces (1 cup) LAND O LAKESŪ Cheddar Cheese, cubed
1 medium (1 cup) yellow summer squash, cut into 1/4-inch slices, halved
1 small red or green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips, halved crosswise
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained
Lettuce leaves

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water; drain.

Meanwhile, combine salad dressing, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce in large bowl; mix well. Add cooked pasta and all remaining salad ingredients except lettuce leaves; toss lightly to coat. Cover; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. To serve, place 1 lettuce leaf on each individual plate; top with pasta mixture.

Makes 5 (1 1/4-cup) servings.

Recipe courtesy of Land O Lakes, Inc.