Gluten Free Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Recipe
I am the first to admit that I have a particular fondness for mac and cheese with ketchup. Something about gluten free pasta with creamy cheese and tangy tomato makes me happy. Yes, I know – just add this to the growing list of reasons why I will never be considered a foodie!
What I am not a big fan of however, is how long it typically takes to make a great mac and cheese. When I am hungry, I am hungry NOW! I want to eat and I want to eat fast.
This recipe does two things – one, it takes the concept of mac and cheese with ketchup and elevates it to a sophisticated new level. It’s not macaroni, it’s pasta; and anything with the words “sun-dried tomatoes” and “pesto” in it just sounds foodie! (Maybe I will be able to salvage at least a tiny vestige of my reputation.) Secondly, it is ready in about 20 minutes; and that’s if it takes a long time for your pasta water to boil!
I took a couple shortcuts here; I used jarred Classico sun-dried tomato pesto (instead of ketchup!) and for the cheese part of the dish, Boursin – a garlic and herb cheese. Then I threw in a few handfuls of baby spinach (which I got from a bag, pre-washed and everything) and in no time flat I had a creamy, delicious sauce that I tossed with pasta. For the pasta, I used gluten free Vegetable Rotini from Pastariso, I love the way the curlicues really hang on to all that yummy sauce.
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. I say hunger is the grandmother of recipe development! And while I will never give up on my mac and cheese with ketchup, I will add this recipe to my list of things I love to eat.
Gluten Free Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound gluten free Vegetable Rotini
- ½ cup sun-dried tomato pesto
- 5.2 ounces garlic and fine herb cheese such as Boursin
- 3 cups baby spinach
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated – optional garnish
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted – optional garnish
- Crushed red pepper flakes – optional garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the directions. Reserve about 1 ½ cups of the pasta cooking water, drain the pasta and return to the hot pot.
- In a large skillet, heat the sun-dried tomato pesto with the garlic and herb cheese and about ¾ cup of the pasta cooking water over medium heat. Add the spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted and the sauce is hot. Add to the pasta and toss to coat. Add more pasta water if need. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
- If desired, serve the pasta with grated parmesan cheese, pine nuts and crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
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Great choice Carol! Vegetable rotini is gluten free and at the same moments it contains a good amount of carbs, proteins and thiamin while it is fat free!
Thanks for sharing, the instructions are pretty clear
My pleasure, enjoy!
This sounds amazing!
Thanks Janie!
I made this just as outlined and I love it! I could eat this every week. Thanks for a great recipe.
SO happy you enjoyed it Dauri!
Llook delicious. Going to make this
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