Creamy Pesto Pasta with Garlic Bread

This creamy pesto sauce is good on hot pasta, but can also be used on pasta salads on a hot summers day. Add tomatoes or pimentos and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to garnish. Serves 2 or 4 as an appetizer

The garlic bread is a simple, yet delicious way to dress up a green pasta dish or salad.

Pasta Ingredients:

2 cups fresh basil leaves, wash and pat dry
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic flavored seasoning spray
1/2 lb pasta of your choice
4 oz light cream cheese
1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Garlic Bread Ingredients:

1 loaf crusty French bread (8”-10” long), cut diagonally 8 slices
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic flavored seasoning spray

Directions:

In a food processor chop the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper, to taste. Spray the mixture with the garlic flavored seasoning spray for 8-10 seconds, then puree until blended.

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, keep warm. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat gently combine the cream cheese together with the warm pasta water, then gently add in the puréed pesto and stir until smooth. Add in the pasta and toss until coated with the sauce. Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan cheese and/or add any garnish (pimentos, as pictured). Serve immediately with the garlic bread. Yum Yum!

Garlic bread directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Spray both sides with garlic flavored seasoning spray, for 1 minute. Arrange on a baking sheet. In a small bowl combine the parsley, basil and salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon about a 1/2 teaspoon of the herb mixture onto each piece of bread. Spray the herbs with the garlic flavored seasoning spray, 1 second. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden. Yum Yum!