This quick and easy broccoli pesto is a fun twist on a classic pasta dish. Great for adding an extra vegetable to your dinner!
I really really love broccoli. I find it weird that broccoli seems to be the go to vegetable of reference when people talk about how awful greens are. It's the best one, right?
I could take or leave peas or cabbage but give me some slightly overcooked broccoli and I'll be happy.
So this broccoli pesto is like my dream dinner. A handful of my favourite ingredients whizzed together in a blender and mixed through hot spaghetti.
Topped with a shower of finely grated parmesan. Yes! It's so easy, so tasty and is on the table in like no time at all.
Ingredients you need to make this broccoli pesto with basil & pine nuts:
- Broccoli
- Pine Nuts
- Basil
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Parmesan
- Lemon
Keep scrolling to get the full recipe for this broccoli pesto with basil & pine nuts...
Pasta is one of those things I feel like I need to eat at least every couple of weeks. It's so comforting and so easy that it's perfect for every situation.
Spaghetti is something I wasn't really into until fairly recently. Too much faff when you could be stuffing your face with forkfuls of pasta without having to do any of this twirling nonsense.
But now I can appreciate the unique benefit of a longer pasta. It feels more luxurious somehow and it's probably prettier to photograph which is always a win for me!
How to serve broccoli pesto with basil and pine nuts:
- Try serving it with something other than spaghetti or pasta. It'd be great stirred through quinoa similar to this green quinoa. Or how about with some white beans, oh man that'd be so tasty!
- If you fancy trying it with a different nut. You could easily switch the pine nuts out and make it with walnuts and almonds for an extra nutty flavour.
- If you want it without basil then try a different leafy herb like mint or coriander or even a couple of handfuls of spinach.
WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVER INGREDIENTS YOU’VE GOT FROM MAKING THIS BROCCOLI PESTO WITH BASIL & PINE NUTS?
If you’re anything like me then you’re always looking for ways to save money and avoid food waste so I want to make sure you’ve get plenty of ideas on how to use up any ingredients that are leftover from my recipes!
Cashew Nut Curry with Halloumi & Broccoli
Veggie Quinoa Bowls with Chickpeas & Pine Nuts
Recipe
Broccoli Pesto with Basil & Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- 500 g Spaghetti
- 300 g Broccoli cuts into florets
- 50 g Pine Nuts
- 5 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic crushed
- 10 g Basil Leaves about 2 handfuls
- 50 g Parmesan grated
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Add the broccoli and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and using the same pot boil another lot of salted water. This time add the spaghetti and cook according to the packet instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking make the pesto. Put the broccoli in a blender and blitz until it's chopped. Don't worry about it being smooth at this stage. Add the olive oil, pine nuts, garlic and basil and blitz again. Now it should be pretty smooth so add the parmesan, lemon juice and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Blend one final time until you've reached your preferred texture.
- Stir the pesto through the drained pasta and top with an extra shaving of parmesan.
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says
I have no idea either why broccoli is always maligned. It's a favorite with our whole family. And I love your idea of a broccoli pesto. That's a great twist on the usual.
Ginny McMeans says
Love this beautiful pesto with broccoli! This sounds wonderful with extra protein!
Ashley - Forking Up says
Pesto is so awesome and easy to make, and you can make it out of anything. This is a great one!
lisa says
Broccoli pesto sounds absolutely amazing -- and I'm wondering why I didn't think of that! De-lish!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says
This pasta would be perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! I just love how easy it is to make and our family loves pesto, yum!