Penne with Creamy Pesto Sauce

This is a recipe I concocted with ingredients on hand, including my homemade pesto. My family loved it! Serve vegetarian or top with a cooked chicken breast.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 530 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• salt to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ cup pine nuts
• 1 pound fresh broccoli florets
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• ¼ cup thinly sliced onion
• 1 cup prepared pesto
• 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked penne pasta
• 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still slightly firm, about 11 minutes; drain.

Step 2

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook and stir broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and 1/2 cup pine nuts until the broccoli and asparagus are tender, about 8 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

Step 3

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and stir in flour and 1 teaspoon salt until smooth. Slowly whisk in milk until thoroughly combined, bring to a simmer, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer sauce, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Remove sauce from heat and whisk in prepared pesto. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Step 5

Pour pesto sauce into skillet with broccoli mixture; gently stir in penne pasta until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon pine nuts to serve.