Description
Homemade broccoli rabe and pistachio pesto pasta brings rustic Italian flavors to your kitchen. Regional ingredients combine with simple techniques for a memorable Mediterranean-inspired dish you can quickly master.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) DeLallo Casarecce pasta
- 8 oz (226 g) (about 6 oz trimmed) broccoli rabe, trimmed
- 8 oz (226 g) (2 balls) fresh burrata cheese, torn into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup (1.5 oz or 43 g) pistachios, lightly toasted
- 2 large garlic cloves
- ¼ cup (½ oz or 14 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (½ oz or 14 g) finely grated Pecorino cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp toasted pistachio oil
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp flake sea salt
- Microgreens (optional), for serving
Instructions
- Blanching Broccoli Rabe: Submerge the broccoli rabe in heavily salted boiling water, cooking until bright green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to halt cooking, then drain and gently squeeze out excess moisture.
- Crafting Pistachio Pesto: Combine blanched broccoli rabe, pistachios, garlic, Parmesan, Pecorino, and salt in a food processor. Pulse to create a rustic texture. Slowly incorporate pistachio and olive oils, blending until smooth and creamy.
- Pasta Preparation and Integration: Cook casarecce pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid. Toss the pasta with the vibrant pesto, using reserved water to adjust sauce consistency and ensure each pasta strand is luxuriously coated.
- Final Presentation: Plate the pesto-dressed pasta, topping with torn burrata, delicate microgreens, and a generous sprinkle of Pecorino to create a visually stunning and flavor-packed dish.
Notes
- Blanch with Precision: Quickly boil broccoli rabe in salted water for 30-60 seconds to preserve its vibrant green color and prevent bitterness.
- Pulse for Texture: Use short, controlled pulses in the food processor to maintain a rustic, chunky pesto consistency that highlights ingredient integrity.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to loosen and emulsify the pesto, creating a smooth, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each pasta strand.
- Finish with Flair: Top the dish with fresh burrata and microgreens just before serving to add creamy richness and a burst of fresh flavor that elevates the entire presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg