Fast & Easy Dinner: Broccoli Pesto Spaghetti

April 3, 2008

Fresh pesto, tossed with pasta is one of my favorite summer meals. Although I'm tempted to make basil pesto in the Spring, I don't because basil is not in season yet. Luckily, there are lots of other scrumptious vegetables that can be used instead of basil. This variation is made with broccoli, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Serve with plenty of cracked pepper, extra cheese for sprinkling, and a chilled glass of wine. Take a look at the recipe, read more.

From Good Housekeeping magazine

Broccoli Pesto Spaghetti

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti or thin spaghetti
1 bag frozen chopped broccoli or 16 ounces fresh broccoli
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon salt
Coarsely ground black pepper

Directions

In saucepot, prepare pasta in boiling salted water as label directs.
In saucepan, prepare broccoli as label directs. If using fresh broccoli, blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until cooked through and vibrant green in color.
In food processor, with knife blade attached, blend cooked broccoli, broth, Parmesan, olive oil, garlic, and salt until smooth, stopping processor occasionally to scrape down side.
Drain pasta; toss with broccoli pesto. Sprinkle with coarsely ground black pepper to serve.

Serves 4.

20 Comments

melyshka 5 years 6 weeks

kbarre: maybe adding some sort of cream (just a little bit) would make it seem less like mashed broccoli? did you add nuts to it too? i'm curious to experiment with this recipe.

lightheaded 5 years 6 weeks

Mmmm yum-o

kbarre 5 years 7 weeks

I made this last night and wasn't very impressed. It tasted more like mashed up broccoli than pesto. Maybe using frozen broccoli is better, but I found it to be pretty gross when made with fresh broccoli --- and I love broccoli and pesto!

chiefdishwasher 5 years 7 weeks

George W and I only agree on one thing: lose the broccoli.

MandyJoBo 5 years 7 weeks

YUM! One that actually sounds good!

aimeeb 5 years 7 weeks

Pesto!

TidalWave 5 years 7 weeks

I make this all the time with some cut up grilled chicken. I consider this one of my "lazy" weeknight meals because it is so simple.

kbarre 5 years 7 weeks

I clicked on the Good Housekeeping link and this is what is says re: using a blender. "The pesto is best made in a food processor; a blender makes the mixture too creamy. "