Mascarpone Cheese & Pesto Pasta

By boscobojo

Ingredients

• Pesto:
• 16 oz. package of pasta
• 8 oz. mascarpone cheese
• pesto sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cups basil leaves
• 1 1/2 cups shelled walnuts (pine nuts)
• 4 cloves peeled garlic
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup olive oil

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package; reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain well. In a large bowl, combine pot pasta, macarpone cheese and reserved cooking water; toss well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve pasta immediately in bowls accompanied with a dollop of pesto.

Pesto: In a food procesor or blender, blend basil, nuts, garlic and cheese. Pour in oil slowly while still mixing. Stir in salt and pepper.