Bow Ties with Walnut-Herb Pesto

Name: Bow Ties with Walnut-Herb Pesto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 4 cups uncooked whole wheat bow tie pasta; 1 cup fresh arugula; 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley sprigs; 1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped

I can't resist having pasta at least once a week, but I also didn't want the fat and extra calories that come with. I created this dish, and now I sometimes can even have second helpings! —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

Ingredients

4 cups uncooked whole wheat bow tie pasta
1 cup fresh arugula
1/2 cup packed fresh parsley sprigs
1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup olive oil
1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, place the arugula, parsley, basil, cheese, salt and pepper flakes in a food processor; cover and pulse until chopped. Add walnuts; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream.
Drain pasta, reserving 3 tablespoons cooking water. In a large bowl, toss pasta with pesto, tomato and reserved water.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 323 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 252mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 fat, 2 starch.

Originally published as Bow Ties with Walnutty Pesto in Healthy Cooking August/September 2011

Reviews

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Catherine

Apr 1, 2018

easy to make and healthy. We really like this one. a family member thought of putting salmon in it. Maybe next time we will try it with salmon. I left the salt out. I usually do when I cook.
HomeChefColleen

Sep 12, 2016

Love this recipe! So fresh and full of flavour! The ratio of ingredients is just perfect! Thank you!
Julie23

Sep 7, 2011

I thought this was very good!! I don't have a food processor but I have a mini one called "Oscar" and it worked just perfectly for this recipe. You could add meat or shrimp to this if you want more protein. It was easy and fun to make!!