Power-packed pasta shells to go
Forget sandwiches for brown-bagging it at work or heading off for a weekend picnic. Pack the same ''hero'' ingredients -- ham, turkey, cheese, tomato and lettuce -- into cooked pasta shells. To keep them fresh, carry the dressing on the side.
Power-Packed Pasta Shells
18 jumbo size pasta shells
8 ounces (2 cups) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 ounces sliced smoked ham, cut into 1-inch strips
2 ounces turkey (97 percent fat-free) cut into 1-inch strips
3/4 cup fat-free croutons
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/3 cup reduced fat creamy Italian or Thousand Island dressing
2 cups shredded lettuce
Cook shells according to package instructions; drain and cool.
In a medium bowl, combine cheese, ham, turkey, croutons and tomato. Dressing may be added to this mixture or drizzled on after filling.
Fill each shell with about 2 tablespoons lettuce and 3 tablespoons cheese and meat mixture.
Serve immediately or store covered in a container and refrigerate up to 8 hours before serving.
Makes 6 servings.
Prep time: 25 minutes.
Nutrition facts per serving: 270 calories; total fat, 9 g (saturated, 4.5 g); chol 30 mg; sodium, 610 mg.
Recipe from: American Dairy Association and National Cheese Institute.