Dinner for 2

Penne with Basil Cashew Pesto

Name: Penne with Basil Cashew Pesto
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup penne cooked according to instructions; 7 1/2 asparagus spears; 1/2 red bell pepper; 2 cloves garlic chopped; 1 tsp canola oil; 1 tsp olive oil; chopped tomatoes (optional); 2 cups fresh basil; 1/2 cup raw cashew; olive oil; 3 cloves garlic; 1 green chili or dried red chili pepper; salt to taste (optional)

$13.19for 430 minServes 2

Penne and sautéed vegetables combine with a fresh basil-cashew pesto for a colorful pasta dinner.

Photo: veganricha.com

What it costs

Pick your city to see which ingredients are on sale

Ingredient	Amount	Cost
	Pasta, 3.5 oz$0.10/oz typical	3.5 oz	$0.35Typical price
	Asparagus, 0.3 lb$3.49/lb typical	0.3 lb	$0.98Typical price
	Bell peppers, 0.2 lb$2.49/lb typical	0.2 lb	$0.47Typical price
	Garlic, 0.5$0.75 each typical	0.5	$0.38Typical price
	Fresh herbs (cilantro, 1$1.49 each typical	1	$1.49Typical price
	Nuts and seeds, 2.25 oz$0.70/oz typical	2.25 oz	$1.57Typical price
Total for the servings shown		$6.59

Swaps

Swap pasta for egg noodlesabout $0.04/oz more at typical prices

Pantry staples you likely have

Olive and cooking oilDried herbs, spices and seasoning blendsSalt and pepper

Not included in the cost.

30 minstart to table
Easydifficulty
2servings as written
$$typical cost tier

American Vegetarian Vegan Dairy-free Budget Dinners

Typical price

$3.30 per serving$13.19 for 4

City Store

Typical price: Salefork's estimate of an everyday US shelf price for each ingredient. Pick your city to price it from this week's ad.

Ingredients

1 cup penne cooked according to instructions
7 1/2 asparagus spears
1/2 red bell pepper
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 tsp canola oil
1 tsp olive oil
chopped tomatoes (optional)
2 cups fresh basil
1/2 cup raw cashew
olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 green chili or dried red chili pepper
salt to taste (optional)

Steps

Boil the penne in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions, then drain it.
Blend the basil, cashews, three garlic cloves, chili, olive oil, and salt until mostly smooth.
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped garlic for 1 minute.
Add the asparagus and bell pepper, and cook for 6 minutes until tender-crisp.
Stir in the penne and pesto, and cook for 2 minutes until hot.