Print

Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts

fresh garlic scape pesto pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a bright, creamy pesto made from fresh garlic scapes, toasted pine nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for spring and early summer, this recipe offers a flavorful twist on traditional pesto.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh garlic scapes, chopped
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces spaghetti or linguine, cooked al dente

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a food processor, combine chopped garlic scapes, toasted pine nuts, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse a few times to roughly chop the ingredients.
  3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth but still slightly textured.
  4. Season the pesto with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Pulse once more to mix.
  5. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  6. Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto and toss gently to coat. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if needed to achieve a silky consistency.
  7. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil leaves, or a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Do not overblend the pesto to maintain a slightly coarse texture. Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning. Reserve pasta water to adjust pesto consistency. Fresh garlic scapes are preferred for best flavor. Pesto can be made ahead and stored refrigerated with a layer of olive oil on top for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, pesto pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, easy pasta recipe, spring pasta, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/fresh-garlic-scape-pesto-pasta-recipe-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-pine-nuts-easy-and-delicious/