Creamy Asparagus Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat penne
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 teaspoons whole grain mustard
• 4 teaspoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions. Add asparagus and continue cooking until the pasta and asparagus are just tender, 3 minutes more. Drain and return to the pot.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, whisk milk, mustard, flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whisk in the milk mixture. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tarragon, lemon zest and juice.

3. 3

   Stir the sauce into the pasta-asparagus mixture. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sauce is thick, creamy and coats the pasta, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

4. 4

   NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 359 calories; 10 g fat (4 g sat, 4 g mono); 18 mg cholesterol; 55 g carbohydrate; 18 g protein; 7 g fiber; 602 mg sodium; 467 mg potassium.

5. 5

   Nutrition bonus: Folate (38% daily value), Calcium (30% dv), Vitamin C & Zinc (20% dv).

6. 6

   Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 1/2 fat; 3 Carbohydrate Servings.