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Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Recipe with Juicy Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a vibrant garlic scape pesto paired with juicy cherry tomatoes, perfect for a fresh and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh garlic scapes, roughly chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, add 1 cup chopped fresh garlic scapes, 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1 small minced garlic clove (if using), and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches a creamy consistency. Stop and scrape down the sides occasionally. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust texture.
  4. Transfer the drained pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto and gently toss to coat every strand. Add more reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
  5. Fold in 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan on top.

Notes

Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes to enhance nuttiness. Drizzle olive oil slowly to avoid greasy pesto. Reserve pasta water to adjust pesto consistency. Avoid over-blending pesto to maintain texture. Use fresh garlic scapes within a few days for best flavor. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently with olive oil or pasta water. Avoid freezing to maintain texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, cherry tomato pasta, fresh pesto pasta, easy pasta recipe, spring pasta, homemade pesto, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/fresh-garlic-scape-pesto-pasta-recipe-with-juicy-cherry-tomatoes-easy-and-homemade/