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Creamy Garlic Scape and Walnut Pesto Pasta

creamy garlic scape and walnut pesto pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy homemade dinner featuring a creamy, nutty pesto made from garlic scapes and walnuts, tossed with pasta for a fresh and comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 garlic scapes, roughly chopped (or 3–4 garlic cloves as a substitute)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted lightly
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano preferred)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces pasta (linguine or fettuccine recommended)
  • Optional: handful of fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

  1. Toast the walnuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup walnuts and toast for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
  3. Make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the chopped garlic scapes and toasted walnuts. Pulse until finely chopped.
  4. Add cheese and liquids: Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to the processor. Pulse until smooth but still with a bit of texture. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Combine pasta and sauce: Return drained pasta to the pot or a large skillet over low heat. Add the creamy pesto sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Final touches: Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in chopped fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Toast walnuts carefully to avoid bitterness. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid overheating cream to prevent curdling. Garlic scapes can be substituted with garlic cloves but flavor will be stronger. For gluten-free, use brown rice or chickpea pasta; for dairy-free, use coconut cream and vegan parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, walnut pesto, creamy pasta, easy dinner, spring recipe, homemade pesto, quick pasta recipe

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/creamy-garlic-scape-and-walnut-pesto-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner/