Print

Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Recipe Easy 5-Minute Dinner with Cherry Tomatoes

fresh garlic scape pesto pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a fresh garlic scape pesto tossed with cherry tomatoes, perfect for a fast and flavorful spring or summer dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh garlic scapes, chopped roughly
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted lightly
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine pasta

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
  3. In a food processor, combine chopped garlic scapes, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and lemon juice. Pulse until roughly chopped.
  4. With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil until the mixture is smooth but still textured. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  5. Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large bowl. Add the pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Do not over-blend the pesto to maintain texture. Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning. Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Use fresh garlic scapes for best flavor. Can substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds. For dairy-free, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, cherry tomato pasta, quick pasta recipe, spring dinner, easy pesto pasta, fresh garlic scapes, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/fresh-garlic-scape-pesto-pasta-recipe-easy-5-minute-dinner-with-cherry-tomatoes/