Simple Mushroom Penne with Walnut Pesto

Ingredients

• ounce spenne pasta
• tablespoon sbutter
• ounce sfresh slice dmushrooms
• 1/4 cup grated or shavedParmesan cheese
• saltandpepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, for topping
• cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup spacked greens(spinach or basil are great - but keep some basil for a more traditional pesto flavor)
• 1/2 to3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• clove garlic
• juice of1 lemon
• saltandpepperto taste

Instructions

1. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Toast the walnuts in a small sauté pan over low heat with no butter or oil stir and shake the pan until the walnuts are fragrant and toasty (about 5 minutes). In a food processor, combine all the ingredients for the walnut pesto and pulse until mostly smooth.
3. Heat the butter over medium heat in a wide skillet. Add the mushrooms and saute for 8 10 minutes, until the mushrooms are a deep golden brown. Add the penne pasta to the pan and stir to combine, adding Parmesan, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley or other herbs to taste.
4. Divide the pasta between 4 6 bowls and top with a generous spoonful of the walnut pesto OR stir the walnut pesto directly into the pasta.