Fresh and flavourful are the keys to this simple pasta dish. It’s a refreshing change from the usual pasta with tomato sauce and great as a main course or side dish.

12 oz 2 tbsp 2 cups 1/3 cup 1/2 tsp 1/4 tsp 2 cups

penne or other short pasta all-purpose flour Milk prepared basil pesto salt (or to taste) pepper (or to taste) grape or cherry tomatoes, halved Freshly grated Parmesan cheese Fresh basil leaves (optional)

375 g 30 mL 500 mL 75 mL 2 mL 1 mL 500 mL

1. In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for 10 min or until almost tender. Drain immediately and return to pot.
2. Whisk flour into Milk and pour over pasta in pot. Stir in pesto; cook over medium heat, stirring, for about 5 min or until sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes and serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Garnish with fresh basil (if using).

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Cooking Tip:
Look for prepared basil pesto in the refrigerated section of the grocery store with the fresh pastas or in jars with the tomato pasta sauces. Make sure basil is the first ingredient in the list on the label.

For the Adventurous:
Add 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed, with pesto. Add 1 cup (250 mL) mini or quartered bocconcini cheese and 1/3 cup (75 mL) slivered fresh basil with tomatoes.

Healthy Eating Tip:
If you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant you need to pay special attention to four key nutrients: folate, iron, Vitamin D and calcium. This recipe is an excellent source of three of these hard to get nutrients. A focus on fibre and fluids may also be helpful.

Follow these tips:
Select a whole grain pasta to boost the fibre in this dish
Add cold milk, chocolate milk or even a decaf latte to top up Vitamin D, calcium and fluid
Sprinkle with extra Parmesan for a calcium boost
Pair this dish with a spinach and orange salad to complement the excellent source of folate in this dish
Add thin slices of cooked roast beef or cooked beans to maximize the iron your body can use