When it comes cooking, most teenager’s abilites are limited to whatever can be made in a microwave. If you’re craving pasta, making pesto is a great alternative to yet another evening of Easy Mac or Top Ramen. It takes no more than 10 to 15 minutes to make both the pasta and the sauce, and is much tastier and healthier than a meal made in a microwave.

You will need:

⅓ cup walnuts

1 large garlic clove, chopped

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup olive oil

⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cups water

1 cup noodles of your choice

a food processor

a strainer

Optional:

For a creamier texture in the pasta sauce, you will also need ¼ cup of heavy cream.

To make:

1. Bring the two cups of water to a rolling boil. Keeping the heat on high, pour the 1 cup of noodles into the boiling water, along with a dash of salt (you will still need the ¼ teaspoon of salt later for the sauce). Leave the noodles in for eight minutes, stirring occasionally. Then strain the noodles.

2. While the pasta is cooking, work on the sauce.

3. Combine the basil, walnut pieces, garlic, and salt in the food processor. (If you want cream, add that in, too). While the food processor is running, add the olive oil into the mixture in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube until all of the ingredients are finely chopped and blended.

4. Combine the noodles and sauce in a bowl or on a plate.

5. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.