Bow-Tie Pasta with Pesto Meatballs

Bow Tie Pasta with Pesto Meatballs

For Pasta:

• 8 oz tri-color bow tie pasta

• 1 bag spinach (9 oz)

• 1 1/2 cups cooked butternut squash

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp olive oil

For Pesto Meatballs:

• 1 lb ground beef

• 2 tbsp basil pesto

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano, basil, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs

1. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients.

2. Shape meat into 1" balls. Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 °F for 18-20 minutes.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions.

4. Reserve 1 cup pasta liquid before draining pasta.

5. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.

6. Add 1 tbsp oil and saute garlic for 1 minute.

7. Add the spinach to pan in stages. Cook until wilted; turning constantly. Remove from heat and set aside.

8. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to skillet. Add pasta, cooked spinach, cooked squash, parsley and Parmesan cheese.

9. Pour 1/4 cup pasta water to pasta mixture and combine. Pour more pasta water if you desire a saucier pasta.

10. Season with salt and pepper.

11. Serve with meatballs and garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese.

Serves: 4

• I have had these Italian bow tie pasta for a while and wanted to make a dish that would not change their beauty. When my carb-loving child suggested pesto pasta for dinner, I thought of my colorful pasta but did not want pesto to be the center of this dish. So instead, I made a pesto meatball to go with my colored pasta! They were both stars!

• At the end of summer when I have to make use of all the basil in my garden before the cold weather sets in, I harvest most of it and make a batch of pesto that I store in the freezer. This allows me to have pesto whenever I fancy it: for grilled meat, fish, chicken or pasta.

• This dish is simple and easy. Also you can make the meatballs ahead of time and just reheat.

• If you cannot find tri-color bow ties, any tri-color pasta can be substituted.

This dish is pleasing to the eye as well as the palate!