Best 7 Spaghetti With Tomato And Walnut Pesto Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable Spaghetti with Tomato and Walnut Pesto. This irresistible pasta dish takes center stage with its vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas. Juicy tomatoes, roasted walnuts, and aromatic basil come together in a symphony of flavors, creating a pesto that is both creamy and nutty. Paired with al dente spaghetti, this dish is a true celebration of Italian cuisine.

In this comprehensive article, we present a collection of recipes that will guide you through the culinary journey of creating this delightful dish. From the classic tomato and walnut pesto to variations that incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, and even roasted red peppers, we have curated a selection that caters to diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you are a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary adventure, our recipes provide clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure success in your kitchen.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

TOMATO AND WALNUT PESTO



Tomato and Walnut Pesto image

This pesto is a little different, with a bold tomato base. Grill your tomatoes to bring out their sweetness and add smokiness. For this recipe, fusilli, linguine, spaghetti, pappardelle, or bucatini work best.

Provided by Hetty McKinnon

Categories     Tomato     Summer     Healthy     Quick & Easy     Quick and Healthy

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 lbs cherry or small tomatoes, halved
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup grated parmesan, plus more for serving
1 lb. pasta
Handful of basil leaves
Sea salt and black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the grill to high. Place the tomatoes on a large tray and drizzle over some olive oil. Season with a big pinch of sea salt. Grill the tomatoes for 6-8 minutes, until the tomatoes have blistered and released some liquid.
  • In a blender or food processor, whizz up the garlic, parsley, lemon zest and red chile flakes to a fine paste. Add the walnuts and half of the tomatoes, and with the motor running, pour in 1/3 cup of olive oil in a steady stream. When combined, stir in the parmesan and season with sea salt and a good turn of black pepper.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and add the pasta, stirring. Cook according to the packet instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
  • Place the pasta in a large bowl and add the pesto along with a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking water. Keep adding the cooking liquid in small amounts until the sauce coats the pasta effortlessly. Scatter over the remaining grilled tomatoes and the basil leaves.
  • To serve, top bowls of pasta with a generous amount of parmesan, a squeeze of lemon juice and a finishing drizzle of olive oil.

SPAGHETTI WITH QUICK PESTO TOMATO SAUCE



Spaghetti with Quick Pesto Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

One 28-ounce can whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 fresh bay leaves
1 small onion, peeled and cut in half
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup nuts (pine nuts or walnuts)
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup olive oil
1 pound dried spaghetti

Steps:

  • Set up your grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
  • Make the tomato sauce: Combine the tomatoes along with their juices, butter, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, onion halves and a pinch of salt in a very large saucepan or skillet. Place over the indirect-heat side of the grill and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and using a potato masher to smash the whole tomatoes at the halfway mark. Discard the onion and bay leaves.
  • Make the pesto: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the garlic and nuts until chopped. Add the basil with a pinch of salt and pulse until it makes coarse crumbs. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the Parmesan and olive oil. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Place a large pot of salted water over the direct-heat side of the grill and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package directions, then scoop out into the tomato sauce, adding 1/2 cup pasta water. Toss to coat, then remove from the heat. (If the pasta is too dry, add some more pasta water.) Stir half the pesto mixture into the pasta. Plate and serve immediately with more pesto over the top.

SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATO AND WALNUT PESTO



Spaghetti with Tomato and Walnut Pesto image

Basil is a mere garnish in this nutty, cheesy, peak-season pesto sauce.

Provided by Andy Baraghani

Categories     Bon Appétit     Pasta     Tomato     Walnut     Dinner     Parmesan     Cheese     Basil     Anchovy     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2/3 cup walnuts
2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt
6 oil-packed anchovies, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 ounce Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces spaghetti
1/2 cup (packed) basil leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until slightly darkened, 8-10 minutes. Let cool.
  • Heat broiler. Toss tomatoes with 2 Tbsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Broil, tossing once, until tomatoes are blistered and have released some of their liquid, 5-7 minutes. Let cool.
  • Pulse anchovies, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and 1/2 oz. Parmesan in a food processor until finely ground. Add walnuts and half of tomatoes, then, with motor running, stream in 1/3 cup oil; process just until combined. Season with salt. Transfer pesto to a large bowl and stir in black pepper.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.
  • Transfer pasta to bowl with pesto and add a splash of pasta cooking liquid. Toss, adding more cooking liquid as needed, until sauce coats pasta. Add basil and remaining tomatoes.
  • Divide among bowls; top with more Parmesan and black pepper and drizzle with oil.
  • Do Ahead
  • Pesto can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

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

SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATO SAUTE



Spaghetti with Tomato Saute image

A medley of ripe cherry tomatoes burst within minutes of contact with high heat, and release juices that melt into a sauce of olive oil, garlic, and red-pepper flakes-just perfect for tossing with pasta for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. In the unlikely event of leftovers, this pasta is great at room temperature, too.

Provided by Sarah Copeland

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3 pints red, orange, and yellow pear or cherry tomatoes (about 2 pounds), halved if large; plus a few more, still on the vine (optional)
Kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
Large pinch of red-pepper flakes, plus more for serving
12 ounces spaghetti or bucatini
2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese
Small fresh basil leaves, for serving

Steps:

  • If you aren't using any tomatoes on vine, skip to step 2. Otherwise, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium. Add tomatoes on vine, season with salt, and cook, gently stirring, until skins begin to pucker, about 3 minutes, depending on size. Transfer to a plate.
  • Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet over medium-high. Add garlic and remaining tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes are just beginning to break down, 3 to 5 minutes. Add red-pepper flakes and season with salt. Remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and return to pot. Add 1/3 cup pasta water, tomato mixture, and Parmigiano.
  • Cook over medium heat, tossing, until pasta is evenly coated, about 2 minutes, adding more pasta water as needed. To serve, top pasta with ricotta and sautéed tomatoes on the vine (if using); drizzle pasta with oil, then sprinkle with more red-pepper flakes and basil.

SPICY RED PESTO PASTA



Spicy Red Pesto Pasta image

Today, pesto describes many sauces that don't necessarily adhere to the traditional formula of cheese, basil, nuts and olive oil. This red version, which is inspired by pesto alla Siciliana, the scarlet cousin of green pesto Genovese, leans on sun-dried tomatoes, nuts and tangy roasted red peppers and uses basil as a garnish only. Though pesto is traditionally pounded by hand, a food processor simplifies the effort. This pasta sauce is versatile: Crown it with lemon zest for brightness, or stir in heavy cream for extra richness. Should you find yourself with extra pesto, drizzle it over steak, slather it on sandwiches or serve it alongside a cheese board or crudités.

Provided by Alexa Weibel

Categories     dinner, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup drained jarred, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (about 3 1/2 ounces), roughly chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (a scant 2 1/2 ounces)
3 tablespoons double-concentrated tomato paste (or 1/3 cup tomato paste)
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup drained chopped, jarred roasted red peppers (about 4 ounces)
1 1/2 ounces finely grated Parmesan (about 1 packed cup), plus more for serving
1 pound rigatoni, orecchiette or other shaped pasta
Sliced fresh basil leaves, for serving
Fresh lemon zest, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare the pesto: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, tomato paste, garlic and red-pepper flakes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until mixture is toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to let cool for a few minutes.
  • Add the roasted red peppers and Parmesan to a food processor. Top with the cooled tomato mixture and the remaining 2/3 cup olive oil, and pulse the mixture until you form a paste. (It makes 2 cups.)
  • Season the boiling water generously with salt, then add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  • Return the pasta to the pot, along with about 1 1/2 cups of the red pesto and 1 cup of the pasta water, and stir vigorously until the sauce is glossy and the pasta is evenly coated. Stir in additional pesto or pasta water to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Divide among bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and top with torn basil. Shave some fresh lemon zest on top, if using. Serve immediately.

PERFECT SPAGHETTI WITH TOMATO SAUCE



Perfect Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce image

This recipe's quickness depends on getting all the sauce ingredients and cooking equipment ready before you start cooking. Then, when the water's boiling, start the pasta, and saute the sauce at the same time.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds baby pear tomatoes (or cherry or vine-ripened tomatoes), or one 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes
8 ounces thin, best-quality spaghetti
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, cut into 1/8-inch-thick pieces
1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley leaves, loosely packed and torn
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, optional

Steps:

  • In a tall stockpot, bring 3 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil.
  • If using pear tomatoes, wash and stem. If using vine-ripened tomatoes, score bottoms with a small X; blanch 5 seconds in boiling water. Plunge tomatoes into an ice-water bath, then remove the skins. Using a chef's knife, cut flesh from cores, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips; place in a sieve set over a bowl. Press the cores of tomatoes through sieve; discard seeds. If using canned tomatoes, strain, and pass through a food mill.
  • Drop spaghetti into boiling water; stir. Cook until al dente, about 11 minutes, according to package instructions.
  • Place a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat; add oil. Add garlic to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is lightly golden, about 30 seconds. Add red-pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook until garlic is medium golden, about 1 minute.
  • Increase heat to high. Tilting pan at an angle, add tomatoes. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until tomatoes begin to break down, pear tomatoes begin to burst, or canned tomatoes begin to thicken, 5 to 6 minutes. If using pear tomatoes, mash a few with a spoon. If pear tomatoes start to get too dry, add a little water from the stockpot.
  • Drain pasta in a colander, reserving 1 cup liquid in case sauce gets too dry. Add pasta to sauce in saute pan; cook until sauce begins to cling to pasta, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in basil; cook 30 seconds more. Divide among bowls, and sprinkle with cheese, if desired.

Tips and Conclusion

Enhance your culinary skills with these practical tips and insights to elevate your Spaghetti with Tomato and Walnut Pesto dish. Explore creative variations while maintaining the core flavors of this delightful pasta recipe.

  • Select Ripe Tomatoes: Choose firm and ripe tomatoes to ensure a burst of flavor. Look for vibrant red or yellow tomatoes with no blemishes. Roast them until caramelized for a smoky, intense flavor.
  • Toast Walnuts for Depth: Enhance the nutty flavor of walnuts by toasting them in a pan or oven. Keep a watchful eye to prevent burning.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh basil and parsley for an aromatic and vibrant pesto. Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for a richer flavor and texture.
  • Achieve the Right Consistency: Aim for a pesto that is creamy and smooth, with a consistency that coats the pasta strands. Adjust the amount of olive oil and Parmesan cheese as needed.
  • Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the spaghetti until al dente, which means slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy and ensure a satisfying texture.
  • Reserve Pasta Cooking Water: Don't discard the pasta cooking water! Reserve some of it to add to the pesto mixture. This starchy water helps emulsify the sauce and creates a creamy consistency.
  • Serve Immediately: For the best flavor and texture, serve the spaghetti with tomato and walnut pesto immediately after tossing it with the sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs for a final touch of elegance.

Conclusion

Indulge in the symphony of flavors found in Spaghetti with Tomato and Walnut Pesto. Elevate this dish with tips to enhance flavors, achieve the perfect texture, and experience a culinary masterpiece. Experiment with variations such as sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or different types of nuts for a unique twist. Embrace the joy of cooking and relish the moment of savoring this delightful creation.

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