Bowtie Pesto Pasta Recipe

The below recipe incorporates the Christmas colors of red and green, and everyone will rave about your homemade pesto! Visit our Christmas Symbols page to learn more about the symbolism and meaning of red and green at Christmas.

Ingredients:

Pasta:
1 pound (16 oz) bowtie pasta (cooked)

Pesto Sauce:
1 cup packed fresh basil (1 1/3 oz)
4 larges garlic cloves
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup grated romano cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Other Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken chopped*
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
1/2 cup pine nuts

*We like to use a COSTCO rotisserie chicken. They are affordable, easy and oh so tender!

Directions:

1. Cook pasta and drain.
2. Wash and pat basil dry.
3. In food processor (or blender), mix basil, garlic and walnuts. Add olive oil and process again. Add cheese, salt, and pepper and process again.
4. Combine 2 tbsp of hot water with heavy cream. Stir cream mixture into pesto.
5. Reserve 12 pieces of pasta, then pour pesto sauce over pasta and stir until well coated.
6. Add chicken, sundried tomatoes, and pine nuts.
7. For a creative touch, make “angels” out of bowtie pasta by cutting one piece of pasta in half and placing on the sides of another piece of pasta as wings. Use a pine nut for the head.

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