Penne Pasta with Pesto

Pesto Primavera

There are times when you have a heavy work day that you just don’t want to cook when you get home. This is when a quick meal is the best to prepare so you can put your feet up and relax. Pesto Primavera is one of those quick meals that you can make in less than 30 minutes and have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

To make 6 cups you’ll need the following 

Ingredients:

 8 ounces of pasta – in this recipe I am using penne, but you can use any type you have on hand

4 tablespoons of pesto sauce

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

3-4 cloves garlic finely minced

2 cups broccoli florets or spinach your choice

1 cup mushrooms sliced and cleaned

Few fresh basil leaves for garnish if you want

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup finely grated Romano cheese

 

Instructions:

Make pasta as recommended on package. Then in a saute pan over medium heat place olive oil until heated, then add mushrooms and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper until the trapped water in the mushrooms begins to release (2-4 minutes of sauteing). Once mushrooms turn brown, add broccoli and garlic, cover and cook for about 3 minutes before adding ½ cup of water until broccoli is tender. Then add spinach and mix it well. Spinach should wilt quickly so keep an eye on the pan. Once broccoli is tender and spinach is wilted, turn of heat and set aside the veggies to stay warm.

Once pasta is cooked, drain, but retain ½ a cup of the water and place the pasta into the mixing bowl, then add the pesto and mix well. Once it is mixed well, add the veggies and mix well to ensure all pasta is coated. If the pasta isn’t coating, add a little of the drained water to ensure you have a good well mixed pasta and veggies. Serve in bowls or on plate, top with grated romano cheese and enjoy.

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, journalist. business professional, and creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Masters in Criminology and a BS in Business Management who stepped out of the loop for a while, but who is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel, photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.