Quick and Easy Healthy Pasta with Pesto Recipe

Quick and Easy Healthy Pasta with Pesto Recipe

from ifoodreal.com
35 min
6 servings

Turn that craving for carbs into a yummy meal with this Healthy Pasta recipe that is simple to prepare! Ready in just over 30 minutes this pasta dinner recipe 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.