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Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Recipe with Burst Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a fresh garlic scape pesto paired with burst cherry tomatoes, perfect for spring and summer meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup garlic scapes, roughly chopped
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
  • 12 oz spaghetti or favorite long pasta
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, toast 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat.
  3. In a food processor, combine 1 cup chopped garlic scapes, toasted nuts, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Pulse until finely chopped.
  4. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil until pesto is smooth but slightly textured. Season with salt and pepper. Add reserved pasta water if pesto is too thick.
  5. In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add halved cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes until tomatoes soften and burst. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Return drained pasta to pot or bowl. Add pesto and gently toss to coat, using reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed.
  7. Plate pasta and spoon burst cherry tomatoes on top. Finish with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Do not add tomatoes to pesto early to preserve burst texture. Reserve pasta water to loosen pesto sauce. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Toss pasta gently to keep strands intact.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, cherry tomatoes, pasta recipe, spring pasta, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta, fresh pesto

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/fresh-garlic-scape-pesto-pasta-recipe-with-burst-cherry-tomatoes-easy-and-delicious/