Spaghetti with Pesto

One of the fastest and easiest pasta sauces, assuming you have ready-made pesto on hand. Or you can make a simple and lovely pesto or purée with any single or mixed mild herb .

Salt

1 pound spaghetti or other long pasta (or use a fancyshaped pasta)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup Traditional Pesto

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Cook the pasta until tender but not mushy.
• Meanwhile, stir the olive oil into the pesto to thin it a little. When the pasta is almost done, thin the pesto further with pasta-cooking water, (a couple tablespoons at a time) until it has the consistency of heavy cream. Drain the pasta and toss it with the pesto. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Top with grated cheese and serve, passing additional grated cheese at the table.

MAKES: About 4 servings

TIME: 20 minutes