This may seem like an odd Holiday recipe. There’s nothing terribly “holiday” about it. BUT it is super fast. It can be completely done by the time the pasta boils. So, since the holidays sometimes get a bit crazy, I thought it would be good to post at least one meal that is elegant, delicious and so easy that you don’t even have to think about it. I think this recipe would go great on a buffet, in case you have a holiday party, but want to do something other than cook all week long.

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup walnuts, toasted and cooled
3/4 c. shredded Romano cheese
3 cloves garlic
1 t. salt
1/2 t. black pepper
1 lb. shaped pasta (I tend to use bowtie)
red pepper flakes, to taste

Cook pasta, according to directions on bag.

Toast walnuts at 400 degrees for 5 minutes.

Throw all ingredients, except pasta, into food processor and process for about 1 minute, until thick and creamy— but don’t process it so long that the cream starts to turn to butter :) Add to the pasta, stir until combined and serve.

**If you don’t have a food processor, you could probably do this in a blender, but I haven’t tried that, so your results may vary.