Jane's Yummy Pasta with Tomatoes and Pesto

My friend Jane came up with this really great pasta recipe.  It's perfect for a super-quick weeknight dinner, healthy and really delicious.  I make my own pesto (omit the cream), but you could just as easily buy pre-made to make it even easier.  Normally, my main dishes all include some form of meat/fish, but this one is vegetarian, and I don't miss the meat at all.  Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, as well as vitamins A and C.  And basil is a great source of vitamins K and A, as well as calcium and iron.  So, not only is Jane's pasta delicious, quick and easy, it also packs a nutritional punch.

janes pasta

Ingredients:

1 pound pasta of choice, I used penne regate

1 cup pesto (omit cream) *or use purchased pesto

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes

parmesean and pine nuts for garnish

Preparation:

Prepare pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, make pesto.

Combine pesto and tomatoes (not drained) and heat (you can do this in the microwave).

Serve pasta topped with sauce and garnished with freshly grated cheese, pine nuts and extra pesto.