Creamy Pesto Pasta

A few weeks ago I mocked the way I am FORCED
to prepare dinner around here nowadays-
actually is it mockery if it is the downright
and dirty truth??

Well, I didn't ever give the skinny on how to make
this yummy Creamy Pesto Pasta that our family loves
so much.
I'll give the recipe,
it's up to you to alter it if you happen to live
in the same picky/allergy ridden/ mind altering kitchen I have to get to live in
find all the fun details here

I start with my favorite

Basil Pesto Recipe
2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
1/3 cup pine nuts (I've heard you can use walnuts, but I haven't tried)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 medium garlic cloves
1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan Cheese

Pulse the garlic in food processor. Add basil leaves and pine nuts.
Puree in food processor, slowly adding olive oil till desired
consistency. Add shredded Parmesan.

You can totally stop there and pour this mixture over
any pasta you love. Our favorite is over Tortellini-
talk about a meal you can be done with in 15 minutes.
Seriously the fastest meal on the block!!

Or take it a step further to make

Creamy Pesto
Heat together over low heat;
1/2 cup cream
2 T. butter.
When melted and combined, add the above pesto!

Now you've taken a yummy 15 minute meal into an
Extra Yummy 16 minute meal! Now if you have time to
take it all the way to a 20 minute meal:


Favorite Creamy Pesto Pasta with Peppers
(that's a lot of P's)
Choose your noodles-
we go for any with cute shapes-
I'm so over macaroni!
and cook it according the directions on the box.
While it is cooking, your left hand is making the pesto
and your right hand is stirring the butter & cream,
Saute diced red, yellow, and orange bell peppers in
a minimal amount of olive oil.
Cook these to your desired doneness,
I prefer for this recipe a little al dente
(still a little crisp)
Add 2 big handfuls of baby spinach.
Continue sauteing just until the spinach starts to wilt.

Pour the pasta in a pretty serving dish,
Pour the veggies on top,
give it the smallest little stir-
and top with the creamy pesto!

And voila-
your family is impressed-
and you are grateful for a healthy meal
and the fact that you got cooked spinach in the belly
of your picky eater-
or you-
whichever impresses you most :)