Pasta with Walnut Pesto
February 15th, 2012
I hope you all had a wonderful Valentines Day yesterday! I started my day extra early (4am) so that I could be ready for the KING5 local news crew at 5AM. I shot live segments of my Valentines crafts every hour throughout the morning news- it was so fun, and I was so happy to help people struggling for last minute ideas.
We also went out for a, uh, family dinner. As in- not totally romantic, but we have a real date night planned for this weekend. Any of you in the same boat? I am pretty sure that babysitters are hard to come by on Valentines Day…
After a huge steak dinner last night, I just wanted to eat something lighter tonight. The answer presented itself in this lovely vegetarian pasta dish of spaghetti tossed with walnut pesto. I also have been meaning to make more vegetarian dishes anyways, and this one was created after being inspired by a lovely family of four I know that happens to be vegetarian. (I will just call them the B’s!)
This walnut pesto is incredibly simple while being full of flavor and texture. Plus you get lots of protein and heart healthy fat from the walnuts, so it will be super satisfying.
I am serving it up with a big green salad and can’t wait for dinner tonight!
Pasta with Walnut Pesto, serves 4
1lb spaghetti
Walnut Pesto
1/3 cup olive oil
1 ½ cups walnuts
½ cup freshly grated parmesan
2 cloves of garlic
2 Tbs lemon juice
kosher salt to taste
Finely grated Parmesan and toasted walnut pieces for garnish
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to manufacturers directions.
Add pesto ingredients to a food processor and pulse until all the ingredients are combined.
Season with Kosher salt to taste.
Toss the walnut pesto with the pasta until the spaghetti is well coated.
Pile into bowl or a serving platter and garnish with finely grated parmesan and crumbled toasted walnuts.
Enjoy!
My daughter and I are veggie,my other daughter and my wife are not.Its always a problem for dinner ,because we end up with different dishes.This one we all can eat.
King Regards
David Head
2:18 am on February 15th, 2012
Amazing! I’ve only made basil pesto so this is a real treat.
2:54 am on February 15th, 2012
that pile of cheese makes me want to just face plant in a bowl of this pasta!
4:35 am on February 15th, 2012
This looks absolutely stunning. I LOVE all of that Parmesan cheese on top. This is my kind of pasta dish!
5:49 am on February 15th, 2012
Wonderful David! I also think this would be lovely with salmon or chicken if you are really craving the addition of animal protein!
7:17 am on February 15th, 2012
I guess I just left the basil out Vicki! I hope that you enjoy this totally different pesto- I love it!
7:18 am on February 15th, 2012
um, yeah! What pile of cheese doesn’t make me feel that way!?
7:18 am on February 15th, 2012
thanks Cassie!
7:18 am on February 15th, 2012
Love this! A light, easy dish!
7:59 am on February 15th, 2012
So trying this as soon as humanly possible!!
8:37 am on February 15th, 2012
lol! thanks Amanda!
8:41 am on February 15th, 2012
The Busby family is so all over this!
9:05 am on February 15th, 2012
this is one of those go to weeknight meals that we all need in our arsenal!
9:45 am on February 15th, 2012
This looks amazing! Going in to my file of recipes to try soon.
10:11 am on February 15th, 2012
And I love the polka dot pasta bowl!
10:12 am on February 15th, 2012
This sounds delicious, and a great way to incorporate those heart-healthy walnuts!
12:24 pm on February 15th, 2012
Congratulations on your segments! This pesto is the perfect way to through together an easy, tasty meal.
6:41 pm on February 15th, 2012
The 1st thing I see when I open this post? A mountain of cheese on warm pasta. Hello! I’m sold.
6:51 pm on February 15th, 2012
Perfect timing, I’ve been going crazy for walnuts lately and a pesto sounds in order.
12:17 am on February 16th, 2012
Nuts, pasta and cheese. What on earth could be better!
6:01 am on February 16th, 2012
I am always looking for a new and creative vegetarian dish! Great way to incorporate walnuts into the mix for added protein!
12:56 pm on February 16th, 2012
Walnut pesto sounds delicious! This is something I must try as I have tons of walnuts sitting around.
3:22 pm on February 16th, 2012
This looks mad ,what a brilliant product,can’t wait to have a go at making this
1:54 am on February 17th, 2012
I love walnut pesto. Thanks for sharing your take, Heather!
11:56 am on February 17th, 2012
THANKS, Heather!!!
5:27 pm on February 17th, 2012
…and just the perfect snowy mountaintop of parmesan
Looks delish – love the vegetarian selections!
9:27 am on February 24th, 2012
Your pasta dish is so beautiful and I love even more how simple it is. I bet each ingredient shines–can’t wait to try it. :)
5:41 pm on March 3rd, 2012
Thanks Jean!
6:04 pm on March 3rd, 2012
This is my favorite way to eat, especially as the weather gets warmer. I’ve experimented with lots of different pestos, but this simple walnut version is one of the best, I love your photos.
5:55 am on March 4th, 2012
[...] the menu tonight? Walnut Pesto Pasta, snagged from Heather Cristo. If you’d like to follow along you will need these few [...]
12:54 pm on March 13th, 2012
[...] the menu tonight? Walnut Pesto Pasta, snagged from Heather Cristo. If you’d like to follow along you will need these few [...]
6:48 am on September 13th, 2012
[...] Pasta with Walnut Pesto by Heather Cristo [...]
12:11 pm on October 19th, 2012