Agnolotti with Creamy Pesto, Peas, and Asparagus (Comfort Food with a Difference!)

This is a pretty, really GREEN dish!  I found this recipe in a magazine quite a while ago.  That Boy isn't a big fan of vegetables, so he picks out pasta and chicken for his plate, leaving more lovely peas and asparagus for the rest of us!


Agnolotti with Creamy Pesto, Peas, and Asparagus

3 T butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c flour
2 1/2 c milk
1/2 c pesto
1 t salt
20 oz agnolotti, tortellini, or ravioli
1 lb fresh asparagus, 1" pieces
1 lb frozen pea, thawed
1 c diced cooked chicken (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt butter and cook garlic.  Blend in flour and cook 1 minute.  Blend in milk slowly to avoid lumps.  Blend in pesto and salt.  Cook 6-8 minutes until thick.

In a 4-quart pan, boil agnolotti 2 minutes.  Add asparagus and peas to pasta and cook 2-3 minutes.  Drain.  Add chicken, if desired.  Stir in sauce.

Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish, sprayed with non-stick spray.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.  Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.