Look for fresh herbs and vegetables on sale. If fresh herbs aren’t an option, then dried herbs are a good substitute. Use leftover salad greens and chicken from last night’s dinner to cut costs.

Ingredients

10 oz. bowtie pasta, cooked according to package directions

1 c cooked chicken (optional, can be replaced with meat of choice)

1 c grape tomatoes, sliced

¼ c chopped fresh parsley (or 1 T dried)

½ c chopped fresh basil (or 2 T dried)

3 c mixed salad greens or spinach

grated parmesan

½ c Pesto

 1/4 cup of crushed pine nuts

Dressing

¼ c olive oil

juice of a lemon

pepper to taste

 

Optional

raisins

toasted nuts

 

Directions

  1. In a medium sauce pan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Once the water is at a boil, lower your temperature to medium and add pasta. Once the pasta is fully cooked, drain in a strainer and set aside.

  2. In a large skillet, cook chicken until fully cooked with no pink in the middle, while your chicken is cooking, mix together in a large bowl, tomatoes, parlsey, spinach, pesto and pine nuts

  3. Combine dressing ingredients together. 

  4. Place your salad, chicken and pasta on your plate, and drop with dressing! 

  5. Add optional items, as desired.

  6. Top with parmesan