Presto Pesto Pasta

Ripe cherry tomatoes and fresh basil add zing to a classic sauce and turn this simple dish into a savory meal.

Ingredients

1	pound fresh pasta
6	tablespoons commercial pesto sauce
1	pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1/2	cup pre-washed torn basil leaves
	Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Cook pasta in rapidly boiling water until al dente, about 2-3 minutes. Drain in a colander, reserving 1 cup of pasta water. Pour 1/2 cup of the reserved water back into pot and turn heat to medium-high. Add pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes, and basil leaves. Stir until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt if necessary. Turn heat off. Add pasta and stir until well coated. If sauce seems dry, add the remaining 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Boost Nutrition: Stir in 6 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese just before serving to add 23 calories, 2 g fat, 2 g protein, and 68 mg calcium. Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of pine nuts over pasta just before serving to add 23 calories, 2 g fat, and 1 g protein.