Pesto might just be the best pasta sauce ever, with its garlicky kick, Parmigiano-Reggiano goodness, fresh basil aroma, and quality olive oil. The only hitch? Feeling a bit guilty about indulging in a big bowl of pasta drowned in basil pesto alone. Mom’s voice echoes in our heads, asking, “Where are the veggies?” Well, she’s got a point.
Here’s a tasty solution – broccoli pesto! Blend broccoli florets into the pesto sauce for an extra burst of vibrant green and a serious nutritional boost. Broccoli is not just a fiber powerhouse; it’s loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, and potassium. Mixed with pasta cooking water, it adds creaminess and a delightful kick to the classic pesto sauce. Mom would approve!
What’s in Broccoli Pesto (Besides Broccoli)?
It’s like a regular basil pesto recipe, but with added broccoli. The simple ingredients include:
- Broccoli florets
- Fresh basil
- Fresh garlic
- Pine nuts
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Parmigiano-Reggiano
- And a secret touch: reserved pasta cooking water.
Easy Broccoli Pesto Pasta Recipe.
Making delicious broccoli pesto pasta is a breeze. With just a few simple steps, you can create a tasty and wholesome meal using common ingredients. Here’s a straightforward guide:
- Prepare your broccoli pesto ingredients by washing the basil leaves, grating Parmigiano, and peeling the garlic.
- Boil a large pot of salted water.
- Boil the broccoli for two minutes, remove the florets, and add your pasta to the same pot.
- While the pasta cooks, blend broccoli, basil, garlic, pine nuts, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and Parmigiano Reggiano until smooth.
- Once the pasta is done, take a cup of the pasta water and slowly add it to the pesto as you blend a bit more.
- Toss the pasta with the broccoli pesto, and enjoy your delicious meal!
Things you need:
- Large pot.
- Blender or food processor.
- Sharp knife.
- Slotted spoon.
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Today, enjoy a tasty and healthy broccoli pesto pasta with vibrant green colors.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- ¼ cup pine nuts, plus extra for topping
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for a kick
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a big pot.
- Cook broccoli until tender (about 4 mins), then blend it.
- Reboil water, cook pasta until al dente, save 1¼ cup pasta water.
- Blend broccoli, basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, salt, and Parmesan until smooth.
- Gradually add reserved pasta water until it’s saucy (around 1 cup).
- Drain noodles, mix them with the sauce in the pot.
- Top with Parmesan, pine nuts, and chili flakes if you’re feeling spicy!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 698 kcal