Monster Mash Pasta
Nutrition
Calories: 740 kcalCarbohydrates: 71 gProtein: 16 gFat: 46 gSaturated Fat: 9 gCholesterol: 15 mgSodium: 850 mgFiber: 10 gSugar: 5 g
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lbs. broccoli crowns about 4 cups
- 1 clove garlic chopped
- 3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. butter softened
- 1 box 16 oz. Hannaford Brand Pasta Ruffles
- 2 slices cucumber garnish
- 1 avocado pitted, peeled and cut into chunks (garnish)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes garnish
- 1 can 14.5 oz black olives (garnish)
Instructions
- 1. Trim broccoli florets and stems to make 1/2" pieces.
- 2. Fill a large pot with a few inches of water and insert a steamer basket. Bring water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add florets and stems; cover and steam 4-5 minutes, until tender-crisp. Remove from basket, run under cold water to cool.
- 3. Combine florets, stems, garlic, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, olive oil and butter in a food processor. Pulse to process 10-15 times. Mixture should be slightly chunky and not puréed. Set aside.
- 4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain, let cool slightly. Return pasta to pot and add broccoli "pesto." Toss to coat.
- 5. Pour pasta onto serving platter and make a rectangle shape with pasta.
- 6. Cut two "eyes" from center of cucumber slices. Decorate rectangle with cucumber slices, olives, cherry tomatoes and avocado to create hair, mouth, horns, ears and a neck.