#weekendgettogether

Combining the tastes of traditional Italian pesto with pizza toppings, this green pizza pasta makes a tasty and healthy meal. It's great for a quick dinner during the week or a get-together with friends on the weekend.

Ingredients: 8 oz spaghetti pasta. 1 cup fresh spinach leaves. 1 cup fresh basil leaves. 1/2 cup pine nuts. 2 cloves garlic. 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. 1/4 cup olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved. 1/4 cup sliced black olives. 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.

Instructions: Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a food processor, combine spinach, basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Pulse until smooth, creating a pesto sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. In a large mixing bowl, toss cooked spaghetti with the prepared pesto sauce until evenly coated. Top the pasta with cherry tomatoes, black olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

This easy but tasty pasta dish has a lemony kick from the feta cheese, the creaminess of the mascarpone cheese, and the freshness of the grilled asparagus. It's easy to make and great for a weeknight dinner or a get-together on the weekend.

Ingredients: 8 oz pasta. 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed. 2 tbsp olive oil, divided. Salt and pepper to taste. 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese. 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese. Zest of 1 lemon. Juice of 1/2 lemon. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese optional.

Instructions: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill until tender and lightly charred, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and chop into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with garlic oil. Stir in mascarpone cheese, feta cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in grilled asparagus and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving. Serve hot and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes