[Tracy]

I make this at least once a week - I use whole wheat penne to up the health factor. Salt & pepper don't really count as ingredients, right?

Cavatappi with Spinach, Beans, and Asiago Cheese

For a simple dish, this contains many healthful ingredients, plus the flavors are complex. If you toss the spinach and Asiago cheese while the pasta is still warm, the spinach will wilt and the cheese will soften. When this happens, the flavors blend and become more pungent. This is peasant food at its best.

Ingredients
8 cups coarsely chopped spinach leaves
4 cups hot cooked cavatappi (about 6 ounces uncooked spiral-shaped pasta)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (19-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, drained
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Asiago cheese
Fresh ground black pepper (optional)


Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; toss well. Sprinkle with fresh ground black pepper, if desired.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 cups)