Savory Tomato Basil Penne Kugel

• 1 - 16 oz. boxes Penne Pasta
• 4 oz. Neufchatel Cheese softened
• 2 Cloves large Garlic pressed
• 1 1/2 cups Light Sour Cream
• 1 1/2 cups Cottage Cheese low-fat
• 4 whole Eggs slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup Asiago Cheese divided use
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
• 1/4 cup Fresh Basil chopped
• 1 cup Plum Tomatoes fresh, seeded, chopped
• 1/2 cup Wheat Germ toasted
• 2 tablespoons Pine Nuts
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil optional

Heat oven to 350º F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, with electric mixer, beat neufchatel cheese until creamy. Mix in garlic and sour cream. Stir in cottage cheese and eggs until thoroughly mixed. Add 1/4 C. grated asiago cheese, black pepper, basil and tomatoes. Mix in pasta noodles, by hand. Pour into prepared pan. Bake in 350º oven for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together wheat germ, remaining 1/4 C. grated asiago cheese and pine nuts. Remove noodle kugel from oven and sprinkle wheat germ mixture over top. Return pan to oven and bake for additional 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting into squares. If desired, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.