Italian Recipes - White Bean and Sausage Rigatoni

Ingredients        

• 8 ounces dried rigatoni pasta or medium shell pasta

• 1 15- to 19-ounce can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), Great Northern beans, or navy beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 14 1/2-ounce can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, un-drained, cut up

• 6 ounces cooked smoked turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

• 1/3 cup snipped fresh basil

• 1 ounce Asiago cheese, shaved or finely shredded (optional)

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Method:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, except omit any salt. Drain. Return pasta to hot saucepan; cover and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan combine drained beans, un-drained tomatoes, and sausage; heat through.

3. Add pasta and basil; toss gently to combine. If desired, sprinkle with cheese.