Healthy Pesto Pasta Recipe

Healthy Pesto Pasta Recipe

from ifoodreal.com
35 min

Healthy Pesto Pasta recipe is simple to prepare in just over 30 minutes and is bursting with flavor from pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups any shape pasta (uncooked)
  • 1 cup pasta water (reserved)
  • 2 large garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp pesto (divided)
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes (cut in halves)
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (coarsely chopped)
  • 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes (thinly sliced)
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz) Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (more to taste)
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions

  1. 1

    Cook pasta as per package instructions.

  2. 2

    While pasta is cooking, get all ingredients ready - chop veggies and grate cheese.

  3. 3

    Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, draining the rest. Set aside.

  4. 4

    Preheat large deep skillet or a dutch oven on medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.

  5. 5

    Add 1 tbsp pesto, tomatoes and stir. Cook for 1 - 2 minutes, stir and cook another 1 - 2 minutes.

  6. 6

    Move to one side of the skillet and make sure the empty side of is positioned directly over heat. Add 1 tbsp pesto and broccoli, stir and cook for 4 minutes, stirring once.

  7. 7

    Remove skillet from heat and add remaining 1/4 cup pesto, sun dried tomatoes, half Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, pasta and pasta water. Stir gently and let flavours marinate for a few minutes. Do not cover because broccoli will become a mushy mess.

  8. 8

    Sprinkle with remaining half Parmesan cheese. Serve hot.