Easy and Satisfying Pasta Pesto Bake

Dear Turkey,

It's worth five minutes

And buying the pine nuts to

Make your own pesto

Easy and Satisfying Pasta Pesto Bake

(serves 4-6, adapted from here)

Ingredients:

- 4 c basil

- 2-3 t garlic (I used jarred)

- 1/2 c pine nuts

- 2 c grated or shredded parm, divided

- 1/2 c olive oil

- juice and zest of 1 lemon

- 1/2 c heavy cream

- salt and pepper

- 16-20 oz whole wheat spirals, cooked very al dente, drained

- 1 c small tomatoes, halved

- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced thin

Instructions:

- In the food processor, process the first 8 ingredients, using only 1 c parm, until desired consistency. Add more lemon juice or some pasta water if you need to thin it out. Season to taste. 

- Oil an oven-safe dish and stir together the pasta, pesto, and tomatoes (either right in the baking dish or in the pasta pot first). Cover with the mozzarella and remaining parm.

- Bake at 400 F for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Finish under the broiler and serve with red pepper flakes.

Enjoy,

Tofu