Lemony Broccoli Pesto Pasta
Total Time
30 mins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(9)
Ingredients
4 to 6 servings
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (I used mezze rigatoni)
- 2 1/2 cups (8 ounces) broccoli florets
- 1 cup (1 ounce) fresh basil leaves, tightly packed
- 1 cup (1 ounce) freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds
- 1 large handful (2 ounces) fresh baby spinach
- 2 large cloves garlic
- 1 large lemon, zest and juice
- 1/2 teaspoon each: fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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Preparation
Step 1
Boil the water: Bring a large stockpot of generously-salted water to a boil over high heat.
Step 2
Cook the broccoli: Once the water is boiling, add the broccoli and stir to combine. Cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Use a spider strainer or a slotted spoon to transfer the broccoli to a food processor, leaving the remaining water boiling in the stockpot.
Step 3
Cook the pasta: Add the pasta to the stockpot and cook until *just* al dente. Meanwhile, make the pesto while the pasta cooks.
Step 4
Prepare the pesto: Add the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, spinach, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the food processor. Pulse to blend while slowly drizzling in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Scoop out ¼ cup of the starchy boiling pasta water and add it to the pesto. Pulse until super-smooth and creamy. (If needed, add extra pasta water to achieve that super-smooth consistency.)
Step 5
Toss: Once the pasta is al dente, scoop out an additional 1/2 cup of the starchy boiling pasta water and set it aside. Strain the pasta and return it to the stockpot. Add the broccoli pesto and toss to combine. If the pesto seems at all dry, add in a bit of the starchy water and toss to combine.
Step 6
Serve: Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and a twist of black pepper, and enjoy!
Step 7
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Chef's notes
Don’t overcook the pasta to keep it firm.
Toast the nuts to enhance their flavor.
Blend pesto until very smooth, adding pasta water as needed.
Taste the pesto before adding it to the pasta to adjust salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
Enjoy hot or cold, depending on preference.
