Penne Pasta with Spinach Pesto | Cheesy Spinach Pasta

Penne Pasta with Spinach Pesto | Cheesy Spinach Pasta   

Ingredients (Serves: 2)

Penne Pasta – 1 Cup (150 gms)

Blanched Spinach – 1 Cup

Almonds – 12 Nos.

Garlic – 4 + 4 Cloves

Olive oil – 2 +1 Tbsp

Mixed Herbs – ½ Tsp

Black Pepper Powder – ½ Tsp

Grated Processed Cheese – ¼ Cup

Cream – ¼ Cup

Chilli Flakes – ¼ Tsp

Crushed Peanuts (For garnishing) – 2 Tbsp

Salt – as per taste 

Method:

1.      Dry roast almonds in a pan for nearly 2 minutes. Once cool grind it into a fine powder.

2.      Now add with it 1 cup blanched spinach, 4 cloves of garlic and 2 Tbsp of olive oil. Make a fine paste using a blender.

3.      In a pan add 1 litre of water. Add 1 Tsp salt and 1 Tsp oil. Bring it to boil. Add 1 Cup of Penne Pasta. Boil for 9-10 minutes or till it becomes al dente or as per package instruction. Drain in a colander and keep aside.

4.      Now heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a pan. Add 1 Tbsp chopped garlic, fry for 1-2 minutes. Now add the boiled drained pasta and sauté for 2 minutes.

5.      Now add ¼ cup cream and mix. Add ½ Tsp mixed herbs and ½ Tsp black pepper powder and mix.

6.      Now add ¼ cup grated cheese and mix it well. Sprinkle ¼ Tsp chilli flakes.

7.      Now garnish with crushed roasted peanuts and serve.