Pesto Pasta

I have received a lot of requests this week for pasta and one pot recipes.

Many people love pesto and so the recipe post today is a basic vegetarian dish; which you can enhance with chicken or shrimp. Many people love pasta with a simple pesto cream sauce which I have shown here.

The recipe below is a basic one pot pesto pasta made with just spinach and mushrooms. From this you can enhance with any leftover chicken, shrimp or pork.

Finishing with or without a small touch of heavy cream.

Ingredients:

1 lb. pasta. Spaghetti, Penne or Shells

2 cups pesto

1 cop baby spinach

1 cup sliced mushrooms - any kind

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Olive Oil

salt & black pepper

Optional - roasted nuts i.e. pine nuts or walnuts

Directions:

Prepare your pasta according to directions.

In a large pot add 1 TBL olive oil. When hot add the mushrooms and sauté until lightly brown.

Add next the baby spinach as well a good pinch of salt and black pepper.

When the spinach is wilted add the pesto. Stir well then immediately add the pasta using tongs or a slotted spoon.

Allow a little pasta water to mix into the sauce.

Lower the heat if necessary and add next the Parmesan cheese.

Stir to incorporate.

At this point you can add any additional cooked veggies, nuts, chicken or meat. Allow to heat to temp.

Finish with a touch of cream if desired.

Serve immediately topping each dish with fresh basil, parsley or Parmesan.

ENJOY!