Pesto with Pasta

Pesto with Pasta

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta (8 ounces)
1 cup fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup olive or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons pine nuts or walnut pieces

Directions:
Grated Parmesan cheese -- if desired
Fill the Dutch oven about half full of water. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt if
desired. Cover and heat over high heat until the water is boiling rapidly.
Add the pasta. Heat to boiling again. Boil uncovered 9 to 11 minutes,
stirring frequently, until tender. While the water is heating and the
pasta is cooking, continue with the recipe to make the pesto.
To measure basil, firmly pack basil leaves into a measuring cup. Use the
style of cup designed for dry ingredients, usually made of metal instead
of glass. Rinse the basil leaves with cool water, and pat dry thoroughly
with a paper towel or clean, dry kitchen towel. Peel the garlic.
Place the basil leaves, garlic, 1/3 cup cheese, the oil and pine nuts in
the blender. Cover and blend on medium speed about 3 minutes, stopping
blender occasionally to scrape sides, until smooth.
Drain the pasta in a strainer or colander, and place in a large serving
bowl or back in the Dutch oven. Immediately pour the pesto over the hot
pasta, and toss until pasta is well coated. Serve with additional cheese.
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Please note, if you should change this recipe it will no longer be an
approved Betty Crocker® Recipe.
You may notice that the