Dried Tomato Pesto For a Fast and Easy Pasta Recipe
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Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
A fast and easy pasta dish you can make out of pantry ingredients. This Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta recipe is a main dish or even side dish with grilled chicken or meatballs.
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces spaghetti
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (7 ounce) jar sun dried tomatoes in oil
  • ½ cup walnuts, pepitas or pine nuts
  • 1 glove garlic, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons fresh Mexican oregano (regular may be used)
  • 1 tablespoon marjoram (optional)
  • ½ cup fresh grated cotija or parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ small onion, minced
  • ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock
  • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • warm water, if necessary for texture
  • Garnish
  • fresh oregano leaves (optional)
  • shaved parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  2. Make tomato pesto by placing sun dried tomatoes, nuts, garlic, oregano, marjoram and parmesan cheese into a food processor. Blend ingredients into a paste.
  3. Add salt and spaghetti to the boiling water. Cook for about 8 minutes or until just tender.
  4. Meanwhile, heat a saute pan over medium heat. Add the oil and saute the onion until translucent. Add tomato pesto and heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add chicken or vegetable stock. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  5. Remove pasta from boiling water and add to the pesto mixture. Toss together until all of the spaghetti is is coated with pesto.
  6. Add more stock or warm water if necessary for texture.
  7. Heat together and sprinkle with fresh oregano.
  8. Grate a little parmesan cheese over the pasta and serve.
Notes
Not everyone has fresh Mexican oregano growing in the herb garden. By all means, use regular oregano or even fresh basil. Thyme is also a nice option. Remember, this is a great pantry dish so, use what ever herbs you like. Marjoram is not a very common herb. It has a nice floral characteristic. It will add a little depth to the flavor. Marjoram is not as strong as oregano but makes a very nice accompaniment to it. If using basil, leave out the marjoram. The nuts and tomatoes make this a great meatless or vegetarian option. Use whole wheat pasta to up the protein if desired.
Recipe by Everyday Southwest at https://www.everydaysouthwest.com/sun-dried-tomato-pesto-for-a-fast-and-easy-pasta-recipe/