Recipe

Spinach and broccolini pasta with rocket and walnut pesto

The walnuts in this divine homemade pesto offer a veritable array of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Plus, it tastes incredible tossed through this tasty vegetarian pasta dish.

Aug 10, 2015 3:23am
  • 18 mins preparation
  • 12 mins cooking
  • Serves 6
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Ingredients

Rocket and walnut pesto
  • 60 gram rocket (arugula) leaves
  • 1 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup (50g) walnuts, roasted
  • 2 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
  • 1/3 cup (25g) finely grated parmesan
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil
Spinach and broccolini pasta
  • 400 gram wholemeal spaghetti
  • 470 gram broccolini, trimmed, cut into 4cm lengths
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 clove garlic, crushed
  • 400 gram baby spinach
  • 1 cup (240g) ricotta, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup (50g) walnuts, roasted, chopped coarsely

Method

Spinach and broccolini pasta with rocket and walnut pesto
  • 1
    Make pesto: Process rocket, basil, nuts, garlic, rind, cheese and 1 tablespoon of the oil until roughly chopped. With motor operating, add remaining oil in a thin, steady stream until mixture is smooth. Season to taste.
  • 2
    Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Cook pasta for 10 minutes or until almost tender, adding broccolini in last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain well; reserve 1/2 cup cooking water.
  • 3
    Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; cook garlic and spinach, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until just wilted. Season. Add pasta, broccolini, pesto and enough reserved cooking water to help combine the sauce.
  • 4
    Serve pasta topped with ricotta and nuts.

Notes

If you like, you can use almonds instead of the walnuts in the pesto.

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