Pasta Rosa-Verde

This simple pasta dish features fresh tomatoes, peppery arugula and tangy gorgonzola cheese.

Recipe Ingredients:

8 ounces dry ziti or mostaccioli pasta
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 to 6 medium-sized ripe tomatoes (preferably Roma), seeded and coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
3 cups arugula, watercress, and/or spinach, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola or other blue cheese

Cooking Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a large skillet cook the onion and garlic in hot olive oil over medium heat until onion is tender.
3. Add tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and, if desired, red pepper. Cook and stir over medium-high heat about 2 minutes or until the tomatoes are warm and release some of their juices.
4. Stir in Arugula, watercress, and/or spinach. Heat just until greens are wilted.
5. Arrange the pasta in individual bowls. Spoon the sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts or almonds and Gorgonzola or other blue cheese.

Makes 4 servings.