Penne With Blue Cheese, Pesto, Walnuts, And Asparagus

• 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

1. 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.
2. Meanwhile, place walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in preheated 350-degree o ven until lightly toasted, 4-5 minutes.
3. Place pesto and blue c heese in a large serving bowl and using a fork, mash the blue cheese into the pesto.
4. Rinse asparagus spears and snap off and discard their tough ends. Break spears into 1 1/2-inch long pieces.
5. 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.

salt, penne, walnut pieces, pesto sauce, blue cheese, thin asparagus spear

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/penne-with-blue-cheese-pesto-walnuts-and-asparagus-125997 (may not work)