Broccoli Pesto Pasta Recipes

BROCCOLI PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Tip the pasta into a large pan of boiling salted water and cook according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, bring a smaller pan of salted water to the boil, add the broccoli and boil for 4 minutes.
• Drain the broccoli and return it to the pan. Lightly mash the broccoli with a potato masher or fork. Finely grate the garlic and zest the lemon, then mix into the broccoli with the chilli flakes and pine nuts. Cut the lemon in half and keep for later.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the pan. Stir in the broccoli pesto and squeeze over the juice of 1⁄2 lemon. Pour in the olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Spoon in the grated Parmesan, toss the pasta well and serve.

BROCCOLI-WALNUT PESTO WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts out on a small baking pan and toast lightly, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Pulse together 1/4 cup of the walnuts and the garlic in a food processor; add the broccoli, basil, broth, nutmeg, red pepper flakes if using, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the lemon juice, and pulse until just combined. Slowly drizzle in the oil through the feed tube with the processor running and puree until a slightly chunky sauce forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add 2 tablespoons of the cheese and pulse until incorporated.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Toss the pasta with the pesto in the dry pot or a mixing bowl, along with some of the reserved cooking liquid. Add the remaining cooking liquid if needed and additional salt to taste.
• Transfer the pasta to individual bowls and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon cheese. Chop the remaining walnuts and scatter on top. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.

BROCCOLI PESTO & PANCETTA PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the broccoli and boil for 5 mins. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Put the pasta in the same pan and cook following pack instructions. Meanwhile, tip the broccoli into a food processor with the pine nuts, basil, garlic, parmesan and oil, and blitz until smooth. Season with black pepper and a little salt (the pancetta is very salty).
• Set a frying pan over a medium heat and cook the pancetta for 2 mins. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 mins, or until softened. Toss the pasta with the broccoli pesto, tomatoes and pancetta, and loosen with a splash of pasta water, if needed. Spoon into bowls and serve.

PASTA WITH BROCCOLI PESTO

Steps:

• Steam the broccoli flowerets about three minutes, until tender but still bright green. Rinse under cold water, then drain and set aside. Put a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil for the pasta.
• When the broccoli is done, reserve four small flowerets for garnish and place the rest in the food processor along with the garlic and nuts. Process until finely ground.
• With the machine running, pour the olive oil into the food processor through the feed tube. Stop the machine, scrape the sides, season with salt and pepper and process briefly. Transfer the mixture to a dish and set aside.
• When the water is boiling, place the pototoes in the pot and boil for five minutes. Add the pasta, stir to separate the strands and cook until the pasta is al dente, about eight minutes. Drain potatoes and pasta together and transfer to a warm serving dish.
• Toss the pasta and potatoes with the pureed broccoli mixture. Divide the pasta among four shallow bowls and garnish each serving with a reserved broccoli floweret and serve immediately with Parmesan cheese on the side.

BROCCOLI-WALNUT PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1/4 cup salt, then add the broccoli. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bright green and just tender, about 5 minutes. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer to a food processor; keep the water boiling.
• Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook according to the package's directions for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water.
• Meanwhile, add the garlic to the broccoli and pulse, scraping the bowl occasionally, until smooth. Add the mint, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Pulse until smooth, then add the oil with the machine running.
• Drain the pasta well and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the pesto. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and toss until the pasta is evenly coated. If the mixture seems thick, fold in the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time. The mixture will thicken as it cools, so you want it to be saucy. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide among serving dishes and top with lemon zest, then grate cheese over. Sprinkle with the walnuts, grind more black pepper on top, then drizzle with olive oil. Serve hot, warm or room temperature.

BROCCOLI PESTO

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, cover, and steam until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Blend steamed broccoli, basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic, vegetable broth, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a blender until smooth and pourable.

PASTA WITH BROCCOLI PESTO

Steps:

• Cook and stir garlic in hot oil in large skillet on medium heat until tender. Stir in broccoli; cook 3 min., stirring occasionally.
• Place chicken broth, broccoli mixture and 1/4 cup of the walnuts in blender container; cover. Blend until smooth; stir in cheese. Place in large bowl.
• Add pasta, ham, tomatoes and remaining 1/2 cup walnuts; mix lightly.