Pesto Penne Primavera

This is a recipe you can serve hot or cold. A great side-dish or can be a full meal. My kids love this and it’s always a hit. You could also add poached or grilled chicken. You can also freeze any leftover pesto for later use.

Step: 1

Combine the basil, garlic, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until well combined and has the texture of fresh pesto; set aside.

Step: 2

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta in boiling water until cooked yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil over the pasta and toss to coat; set aside.

Step: 3

Heat 1 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Roast the pine nuts in the skillet until lightly browned; remove to a plate and set aside. Add the asparagus, zucchini, Kalamata olives, roasted red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet; cook and stir until hot, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the pine nuts into the vegetable mixture. Add the pasta and about 1/4 cup of the pesto, or more to your liking, to the skillet and toss to combine. Serve in bowls topped with the grated Parmesan cheese.

Per Serving: 368 calories; protein 12.6g; carbohydrates 34.4g; fat 20.6g; cholesterol 8.8mg; sodium 412.6mg.

Deciding stay in and cook your food instead of eat in the evening out is already a process in the best direction if you’re focusing on eating healthier. There’s no best way to know exactly what’s happen into the food you’re eating than by making it yourself! Mastering the main dish is only half the process , like that . And once you’ve perfected your chicken, steak, or fish, that is time to turn your attention to the ever- focusing side dishes.

A side dish would easily derail your health goals, as sweetness , sodium, fat, and calories can all get than high quickly if you’re not careful . But with our healthy side dish recipes, you won’t ever run into that problem .