Simple Pesto Pasta

Are you ready for a super simple and sort of healthy pasta dish. It only took 4 ingredients so it was also pretty cheap. 

In a medium sauce pan boil some broth or you can just use water. I just like the extra flavor. Once it boils add your noodles. You can use any shape you like, I just always have elbows in my pantry because they are easy for my little boy to eat. 

There won't be a lot of liquid in the pan because you want it to be as full of flavor and starchy to help the pesto to stick.  When your pasta is finished cooking you can drain it if you feel like there is to much liquid but save the liquid. I drained mine but there wasn't much liquid and I ended up pouring it all back in to help combine the other ingredients. Add your pesto and stir to combine. Then add as much cheese as you want. That's it. 

I made sure I saved some cheese to top my pasta on my plate. This came together so quickly. I sauteed some mushrooms on the side because my husband doesn't like them then I just added them to my pasta on my plate. 

I also served it with Jenny O hot turkey sausage links to try to keep things a little on the healthier side. Remember its all about making healthier choices. I was going to steam some veggies but forgot, oops!! 

So simple and pretty darn tasty. I had to buy the big container of basil pesto because they didn't have the small one so now I have lots of left overs that I will have to get creative with. Try to buy the fresh stuff that's in the deli section not the stuff in a jar by the pasta sauce. The fresh stuff looks better and tastes better. Or be amazing and make your own. 

Simple Pesto Pasta

3 1/2 cups Chicken Broth (or water)

2 cups Elbow Noodles, or any shape, uncooked

1/2 cup Basil Pesto

1 1/2 cups Italian blend cheese (or Mozzarella or Parmesan) 

Boil broth in a medium size pan. Add noodles and cook until desired tenderness. There should be some liquid left in the pan but if there seems to be a lot strain it but save the liquid. Add the pesto and stir to combine. Add the cheese. If it's to thick or won't combine well add some of the cooking liquid to bring it all together. Serve and top with extra cheese. 

Try adding/substituting:

Mushrooms

Spinach

Sausage

Red Chili Flakes

Chopped cooked Bacon

Cooked Chicken, bite size

Vegetable Broth 

Sauteed Onions  

*** I put some of the extra pesto on a turkey wrap and grilled it. Super yummy!! Its also good tossed with some quartered red potatoes and roasted in a 400 degree oven***