Best 4 Spaghetti With Broccoli And Walnut Ricotta Pesto Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with our delectable Spaghetti with Broccoli and Walnut-Ricotta Pesto. This vegetarian dish marries the freshness of broccoli, the nutty crunch of walnuts, and the creamy richness of ricotta cheese, all harmoniously blended in a vibrant pesto sauce. Served atop perfectly cooked spaghetti, each bite is a delightful journey through a garden of textures and tastes. The recipe is complemented by two equally enticing variations: a vibrant Carrot Top Pesto that adds a burst of color and a touch of peppery zest, and a classic Basil Pesto that captures the essence of Italian culinary tradition. These versatile pestos can elevate any dish, from pasta and salads to grilled meats and roasted vegetables. Embark on a culinary adventure with our carefully curated recipes and discover the magic of fresh, homemade pesto.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BROCCOLI-WALNUT PESTO WITH PASTA



Broccoli-Walnut Pesto With Pasta image

Low in cholesterol and high in vitamins, broccoli packs this pesto with extra nutritional value. Using walnuts instead of the traditional pine nuts is less expensive, subtracts calories and adds fiber. Serve over whole wheat pasta, or try brown rice pasta for a gluten-free option.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/3 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus a few sprigs, for garnish
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 1/2 cups chopped raw broccoli florets and tender stems (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Kosher salt
Juice of 1/2 small lemon (1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, Romano or grana padano cheese
10 ounces whole wheat or tri-color fusilli

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410 calorie, Fat 15.5 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Cholesterol 1 milligrams, Sodium 554 milligrams, Carbohydrate 57 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 13 grams, Sugar 3 grams

BROCCOLI-WALNUT PESTO PASTA



Broccoli-Walnut Pesto Pasta image

Pesto becomes more full-bodied with the addition of broccoli that's blanched in the same pot as the pasta and fresher with the combination of mint and lemon. For a sauce that's light and loose, use only the florets - not the stems. Raw walnuts have a welcome natural sweetness and nice crunch that complement the pesto, but you can leave them out or substitute sunflower seeds if you have a tree-nut allergy.

Provided by Genevieve Ko

Categories     dinner, lunch, weekday, weeknight, pastas, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt
4 cups broccoli florets (10 ounces from 2 crowns)
1 pound cut pasta, such as medium shells
1 large garlic clove, smashed
2 packed cups fresh mint leaves (about 2 ounces from one small bunch)
Black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for serving
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 535, UnsaturatedFat 21 grams, Carbohydrate 64 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 447 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

BROCCOLI PASTA



Broccoli Pasta image

Believe it or not, the star behind this 5-ingredient supper is overcooked broccoli! We over-steam it here to give the broccoli a delicate and creamy texture, making it perfect for mashing, mixing with pasta water and tossing with pasta.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 bunch broccoli (about 1 pound), trimmed and cut into large florets
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
12 ounces spaghetti
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Set up a steamer basket in a 3-quart saucepan. Add enough water to come up to the bottom of the basket. Bring the water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets to the basket, cover and cook until the broccoli is soft and nearly falling apart but still holds its shape, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Transfer the broccoli to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and gently toss; season with salt and pepper, then mash.
  • Cook the spaghetti according to label directions, then reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain.
  • In a large skillet, cook the garlic in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil for 30 seconds. Add the mashed broccoli, the Parmesan and half of the reserved cooking water. Cook, stirring, until saucy. Season with salt and pepper. Toss with the spaghetti, adding more cooking water as needed.

SPAGHETTI PIE WITH BROCCOLI RABE



Spaghetti Pie with Broccoli Rabe image

Categories     Cheese     Pasta     Pork     Vegetable     Brunch     Bake     Dinner     Lunch     Sausage     Noodle     Fontina     Broccoli Rabe     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 6 (light main course) servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 bunch broccoli rabe, thick stalks trimmed, remainder coarsely chopped
8 oz sweet or hot Italian sausage, removed from casings
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large garlic clove, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 cups cooked thin spaghetti
4 oz Italian Fontina or Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/3-inch cubes
8 large eggs, lightly beaten

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Cook broccoli rabe in boiling salted water 5 minutes, then drain in a colander.
  • Meanwhile, cook sausage meat in an ovenproof heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over moderately high heat, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned and crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large bowl.
  • Add oil and garlic to skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add broccoli rabe and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Add salt, then pepper to taste. Add to sausage with spaghetti, cheese, and eggs. Toss well and spoon mixture into skillet, spreading to smooth top.
  • Bake in middle of oven until center is set but still moist, 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into wedges.

Tips:

  • Choosing the right pasta: Spaghetti is a classic choice for this dish, but you can also use other long pastas like linguine or fettuccine. If you're using a shorter pasta, like penne or rigatoni, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
  • Cooking the pasta al dente: Al dente means "to the tooth" in Italian, and it refers to the ideal texture for cooked pasta. Al dente pasta is firm to the bite but not hard or crunchy. To achieve al dente pasta, cook it for the amount of time specified on the package, then taste it to make sure it's done to your liking.
  • Using fresh broccoli: Fresh broccoli is best for this dish, but you can also use frozen broccoli if you don't have any fresh broccoli on hand. If you're using frozen broccoli, thaw it completely before using it.
  • Toasted walnuts: Toasting the walnuts brings out their flavor and makes them more fragrant. To toast the walnuts, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until they're golden brown and fragrant.
  • Making the ricotta pesto: The ricotta pesto is a key component of this dish. It's made with ricotta cheese, walnuts, basil, garlic, and olive oil. To make the pesto, simply combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

Conclusion:

Spaghetti with Broccoli and Walnut Ricotta Pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for any occasion. It's a great way to use up leftover broccoli and walnuts, and it's also a healthy and flavorful meal. The ricotta pesto adds a creamy and nutty flavor to the dish, and the broccoli and walnuts add texture and crunch. This dish is sure to please everyone at your table.

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