Pesto Pasta Stuffed Tomatoes Recipe

My local grocery store, Coborn's, had some great vine on tomatoes this week. Even better, they were only 99 cents a pound as a manager's special. I had the perfect recipe in mind.

A few weeks ago, I was browsing through the used cookbook section of my Mom's store and stumbled across one called "Light Cooking: Pasta". My daughter and I are huge pasta lovers, so I took a quick peek and this recipe caught my eye. I brought it home so I could try it out asap.

I really love how these Pesto Pasta Stuffed Tomatoes turned out. I am a huge basil fan. This recipe gave me a great excuse to buy a basil plant for my patio, and use some right away to make this. It all came together quickly and would be a great side for so many meats. What could go wrong with tomatoes, garlic and pasta?? Nothing, in this case! Enjoy!!

 Pesto Pasta Stuffed Tomatoes (print recipe)

What you need:

3 ounces uncooked star or other small pasta (I found the star pasta in the Mexican foods section)

4 large tomatoes

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil

1 clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons mayo

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup zucchini, shredded 

2 tablespoons shredded parmesan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.

Cut tops from tomatoes. Scoop out and discard all but 1/2 cup tomato pulp. Chop and add to pasta. Place tomatoes, cut side down, on paper towels and let drain for 5 minutes.

Place basil and garlic in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add mayo and pepper, process until smooth. Combine pasta mixture, zucchini, parmesan, and basil mixture until mixed. Place tomatoes in a baking dish and fill each tomato with the pasta mixture, mounding slightly.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.

This recipe was shared at:
Fabulous Friday at My Crowded Kitchen
Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage
Recipe Linky at Newlyweds
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain
Show me What you Got at Our Delightful Home
Tuesday Talent Show at Chef in Training
Makin You Crave Monday at Mrs Happy Homemaker
Mix it up Monday at Flour me with Love
Church Supper at Everyday Mom's Meals
Scrumptious Sunday at Addicted to Recipes
Strut Your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters Stuff