Pesto Pasta

Pesto Pasta

Ingredients: 

2 cups basil leaves

1 clove garlic

2 tbsp. Pine nuts/almonds/nuts of your choice

Salt to taste

Pepper powder 1 tsp

Olive oil - 1/3 cup 

Parmesan Cheese - 3oz

Pasta - 1 box (1lb)

Vegetables: Bell pepper, Onion, Mushroom, Spinach - Chopped

Mozzarella Cheese grated - 1 cup

Method:

1.  Mix all the ingredients for pesto in a food processor to mix well to a coarse paste and add olive oil and parmesan cheese.  ( I usually make a large batch of pesto in summer and freeze in ice cube trays and store in zip lock bags in the freezer for ready use)

2.  Cook pasta al dente for 11 minutes as per box directions.

3.  Saute vegetables in olive oil and set aside.

4.  Mix the pesto sauce in the pasta and add the sauteed vegetables.

5.  Finally top with mozzarella cheese and bake the pasta at 350F for 20 minutes till the cheese melts.