Penne With Blue Cheese, Pesto, Walnuts, And Asparagus - cooking recipe

Ingredients

salt, for cooking pasta
8 ounces penne
1 cup walnut pieces
1 (3 1/2 ounce) jar pesto sauce (approx. 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup blue cheese (crumbled)
1/2 lb thin asparagus spear

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt and stir in the penne. Reduce to medium-high and cook penne, uncovered, until al dente, 6-7 minutes.
Meanwhile, place walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in preheated 350-degree o ven until lightly toasted, 4-5 minutes.
Place pesto and blue c heese in a large serving bowl and using a fork, mash the blue cheese into the pesto.
Rinse asparagus spears and snap off and discard their tough ends. Break spears into 1 1/2-inch long pieces.
During the last 3 minutes of the penne cooking time, add asparagus to pot and cook until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain penne and asparagus well in colander. Add to the bowl with the pesto and stir to coat them well. Top with toasted walnuts and serve at once.