Spaghetti With Broccoli Pesto
Description
This Spaghetti With Broccoli Pesto is a vibrant, quick-cooking Italian-inspired dish that brings fresh garden flavors to your table. The star is a bright, creamy pesto made from blanched broccoli florets, toasted walnuts, garlic, and sharp Romano cheese, blended until smooth. Tossed with al dente spaghetti and a splash of starchy pasta water, the sauce clings perfectly to every strand. It is a lighter, vegetable-forward twist on traditional basil pesto, offering a satisfying crunch from the walnuts and a robust herbal note from fresh parsley.Ingredients
Directions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain well.
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In the same boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
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In a food processor or blender, combine the blanched broccoli, walnuts, garlic, parsley, Romano cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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Pulse until the mixture forms a coarse paste, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a tablespoon of reserved pasta water if the pesto is too thick.
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Return the drained spaghetti to the hot pot. Add the broccoli pesto and toss vigorously over low heat.
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Add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time, tossing continuously, until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and has a creamy consistency.
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Serve immediately, topped with extra grated Romano cheese and a crack of black pepper if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2 cups
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 199.5kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12.7g20%
- Saturated Fat 1.6g8%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 18.0mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 19.5g7%
- Dietary Fiber 2.3g10%
- Sugars 1.2g
- Protein 5.1g11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.