Pasta with Creamy Pesto:
1 lb. Radiatore or rotini pasta
1 c. Broth
¾ c. Fresh basil
¼ c. Grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Black pepper
3 Cloves garlic, minced
8 oz. Neufchatel or cream cheese (softened)
2 c. Fresh tomatoes, diced
¼ c. Red onion, minced
1 ½ Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar
½ Tbsp. Olive oil
Directions:
1. Boil pasta according to package instructions.
2. If you are making broth out of bouillon, now’s the time. Put the appropriate size cube of vegetable bouillon (look on the package) in 1 cup water and put it in the microwave for a minute, then stir. If it’s not dissolved yet, zap it a little longer.
3. Combine the broth, basil, Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic, and softened cream cheese in a blender and blend till smooth. Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to combine.
4. Make the topping: Chop the tomatoes and onion and put in a medium-size bowl. Add vinegar and olive oil.
How to serve:
Scoop 1 cup pasta onto a plate and top with 3 ½ Tbsp. tomato topping.
(Or 2 cups pasta and 7 Tbsp. tomato topping.)
*Nutrition facts:
Pasta + Sauce:
Item | Calories | Sodium (% RDA) | Fiber (g) | Protein (g) | Calcium (% RDA) |
16 oz. radiatore pasta | 1680 | 0 | 16 | 56 | 0 |
½ Knorr veg. bouillon cube | 15 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
¾ c. basil | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
¼ c. grated Parmesan | 120 | 24 | 0 | 12 | 36 |
8 oz. Neufchatel cheese | 560 | 40 | 0 | 16 | 16 |
½ tsp. salt | 0 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3 cloves garlic | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 3 |
Total (6 cups): | 2390 kcal | 149% | 16g | 84.5g | 58% |
1 cup: | 398 kcal | 25% | 2.5g | 14g | 9.5% |
Tomato Topping:
Item | Calories | Sodium (% RDA) | Fiber (g) | Protein (g) | Calcium (% RDA) |
2 c. tomatoes | 64 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
¼ c. red onion | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1 ½ Tbsp. vinegar | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
½ Tbsp. olive oil | 60 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total (20 Tbsp.): | 154 kcal | 1% | 5g | 5g | 5% |
3 ½ Tbsp: | 27 kcal | 0% | 0.75g | 0.75g | 0.75% |
*Calculated from food packaging and the following websites: http://nutritiondata.self.com, http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories, and http://caloriecount.about.com/.
I used “Great Value” brand (Walmart) pasta and Neufchatel cheese.
I used “Knorr” brand vegetable bouillon, “Morton” brand salt, “ACME” brand vinegar, and “Members Mark” brand olive oil (Sams Club).
Nothing is more delicious in the summer than fresh tomatoes and basil! I received this recipe from a fellow ecology student, Jay C., many years ago, and it instantly became a favorite. It’s quick to make because only one ingredient (pasta) must be cooked, and yet it’s fancy enough for a dinner party! J
Looks tasty!
ReplyDeleteMy kids loved this! Thanks for posting delicious and healthy meals.
ReplyDeleteThanks B.J. & Ariane!
ReplyDeleteThis looks really good!
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We had this and everone liked it- so simple too. Thanks!
ReplyDeletehttp://dishingwithdish.blogspot.com/
Glad you liked it! Saw your post--good ideas!
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