Trenette al Pesto (Pasta from the Movie Luca)

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide a similar texture and flavor at a lower cost.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast is lower in calories, while grana padano is a more affordable cheese option.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.

Cut 2 medium-sized potatoes into large chunks.

Cut green beans on a diagonal into about 2-inch lengths.

Add the potatoes and green beans to the boiling water and cook for about 6 minutes or until the potatoes are halfway cooked through.

Toast pine nuts in a pan until they are not burned, then set aside.

In a food processor, add basil, toasted pine nuts, 1 clove of garlic, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Pulse the mixture until it starts to break up, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while pulsing until combined.

Grate in parmesan cheese and mix until combined, then set the pesto aside.

Add spaghetti to the boiling water with the green beans and potatoes, stirring until the pasta bends and submerges in the water.

Reserve some starchy cooking water, then drain the pasta, green beans, and potatoes.

Return the drained mixture to the pot, add half of the pesto and some reserved starchy water, and stir to combine.

Add more pesto and starchy water as needed, mixing until the potato breaks apart and combines with the pasta.

Serve immediately, enjoying the creamy texture from the potatoes and the fresh taste from the green beans.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens