Your friends have called. They are coming through town, and you FINALLY have them over for dinner. Now what should make? I prefer making something super easy where I can clean up before the guest arrive. Ciao Italia! Instead of going with the normal spaghetti & meatballs, pesto pasta is just what I think my traveling guests will love, as it’s a popular Italian dishes. Did you know that in the Middle ages, pesto was thought to help ward off sickness during long sea voyages?!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 Tbsp pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup Central Market All Natural Sicily Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1 bag of Central Market All Natural Pappardelle pasta
Piave Vecchio cheese (optional)

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the basil, salt and pepper and process for a few seconds until the basil is chopped. Add the cheese, pine nuts, and garlic and, while the processor is running, add the Central Market All Natural Sicily Extra-Virgin Olive Oil in a thin, steady stream until a mostly smooth sauce is formed. Transfer pesto to a bowl and set aside. (Note: Pesto may be made 1 day in advance and kept, refrigerated, in an airtight container, until ready to use. If making in advance, be sure to cover the top of the pesto with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent the pesto from darkening. Pesto may also be frozen in the same manner in small quantities for use at a later date.)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add Central Market All Natural Pappardelle pasta and cook, according to package directions, until al dente. Drain pasta. In a large bowl, toss pasta with pesto. Add strips of Piave Vecchio onto top to add a nutty yet sweet flavor to this dish.Disclosure: HEB selected me to be a part of Primo Picks Blogger Network, which provides me a gift card and new food products to taste test. This post was not reviewed by a 3rd party. All opinions are mine and may not reflect those of the company. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” All photos are mine and subject to copyright.

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