Mushroom Penne With Walnut Pesto

Mushroom Penne with Walnut Pesto

INGREDIENTS:

for the pasta

• 8 ounces penne pasta (I like to use whole wheat)
• 4 tablespoons Butter
• 16 ounces fresh sliced mushrooms (Note: I used 24 oz)
• 1/4 cup grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
• salt, pepper, and fresh parsley for topping

for the walnut pesto

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups packed greens (spinach, basil, parsley, anything you like – but keep some basil for a more traditional pesto flavor)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• juice of 1 lemon
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• 1. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• 2. Toast the walnuts in a small sauté pan over low heat with no butter or oil – stir and shake the pan until the walnuts are fragrant and toasty (about 5 minutes). In a food processor, combine all the ingredients for the walnut pesto and pulse until mostly smooth. (Note: I processed the pesto in my vitamix and it's a smaller amount and it didn't get smooth very easily. It was chunky and we actually preferred it that way! It kept a crunch on top and we looooved it. I will be making it this way in the future as well. You can definitely process until smooth but we loved the chunky pesto!).
• 3. Heat the butter over medium heat in a wide skillet. Add the mushrooms and saute for 8-10 minutes, until the mushrooms are a deep golden brown. Add the penne pasta to the pan and stir to combine, adding Parmesan, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley or other herbs to taste.
• 4. Divide the pasta between 4-6 bowls and top with a generous spoonful of the walnut pesto OR stir the walnut pesto directly into the pasta.

Notes: We love this dish! It's simple and filling and meatless and tasty. I barely had any basil the first time  I made it and just used whatever greens I had on hand and the pesto still tasted great. Definitely toast the walnuts - that step is critical in my opinion. Simple, fast, and tasty!

SOURCE: Recipe and Picture: https://pinchofyum.com/simple-mushroom-penne-with-walnut-pesto