St. Patty's Day: Green Pesto Pasta

St. Patty's Day: Green Pesto Pasta

                                                                                                                    444 calories

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt and coarsely ground pepper
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 12 oz fettuccine pasta

Directions:

1. Boil 4 quarts of water.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta.
3. Drain the pasta and set aside. Meanwhile, make the pesto.
4. Using a bowl of a food processor, add basil, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and salt and pepper. 
5. Process the food processor while drizzling in olive oil. 
6. Next add 1/2 cup of heavy cream and butter to a saucepan (set over medium heat). 
7. Pour in the mixture (pesto), then stir until well combined, and let simmer for about 3 minutes. 
8. Turn off the heat, add the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, and stir until melted.
9. Finally, add the drained pasta to the pesto sauce and gently stir together.
10. You can top the pasta with hot cooked rotisserie chicken (optional).

For a full overview of the recipe, visit http://www.kevinandamanda.com/pasta-with-pesto-cream-sauce/