Pesto and chargrilled vegetable pasta

Experience a burst of Mediterranean flavors with this Pesto and Chargrilled Vegetable Pasta recipe. Indulge in a harmonious blend of savory olives, sun-dried tomatoes, smoky eggplant, red peppers, and crunchy pine nuts, all tossed in a fresh basil and parsley pesto. Add a touch of grated parmesan and a squeeze of lemon for a bright, satisfying finish. Perfect for a healthy, vibrant, and delicious meal!

  • 28 Apr 2024
  • Cook time 10 min
  • Prep time 20 min
  • 4 Servings
  • 12 Ingredients

Pesto and chargrilled vegetable pasta

Pesto and chargrilled vegetable pasta is a delightful and colorful dish that brings together the fresh flavors of basil, parsley, and chargrilled vegetables with a creamy pesto sauce. This recipe is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal, combining the richness of the pesto with the vibrant taste of sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and a mix of eggplant and red pepper.

Ingredients:

12 oz pasta
340g
1/2 cup olives
120g
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
72g
1/4 eggplant
110g
1/2 cup red pepper
72g
1/3 cup pine nuts
55g
1 cup basil leaves
7g
1 bunch fresh parsley
54g
2 garlic cloves
6g
2 tbsp olive oil
27g
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
27g
1/2 lemon
55g

Instructions:

1. Prep the Vegetables:
- Slice the eggplant and red pepper into strips.
- Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and slice the olives if not pre-sliced.
2. Chargrill the Vegetables:
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the sliced eggplant and red pepper, and grill them until they are tender and have nice char lines. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Once grilled, set the vegetables aside.
3. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set aside.
4. Make the Pesto:
- In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, fresh parsley, pine nuts, garlic cloves, grated parmesan cheese, and the juice of half a lemon.
- Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. You may need to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl a few times.

5. Combine Everything:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chargrilled eggplant and red pepper, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and olives.
- Add the pesto you just made and mix thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated. If the mixture seems too thick or dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

6. Serve:
- Plate the pasta and top with extra grated parmesan cheese if desired.
- Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves or a squeeze of lemon.
7. Enjoy:
- Serve the pesto and chargrilled vegetable pasta warm, and enjoy the robust, savory flavors!

Tips:

- When grilling the vegetables, make sure the grill is preheated and hot to achieve the perfect char and avoid overcooking them.

- Toast the pine nuts lightly on a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor before adding them to the pesto.

- Use a food processor to blend the pesto ingredients for a smoother sauce.

- Reserve a cup of pasta water to adjust the consistency of the pesto sauce.

- For added flavor, you can also marinate the vegetables in a mix of olive oil, garlic, and herbs before grilling.

- If you prefer a creamier pesto, add a tablespoon of ricotta cheese while blending.

Enjoy your homemade Pesto and Chargrilled Vegetable Pasta, a harmonious blend of vibrant, fresh summer flavors and creamy, rich pesto. This dish is perfect for gatherings, family dinners, or any meal that calls for a burst of Mediterranean delight.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size240 grams
Energy
Calories 540kcal21%
Protein
Protein 18g13%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 80g24%
Fiber 8g21%
Sugar 12g12%
Fat
Fat 22g27%
Saturated 3.63g12%
Cholesterol 6mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 120ug13%
Choline 50mg9%
Vitamin B1 0.95mg79%
Vitamin B2 0.53mg41%
Vitamin B3 9mg56%
Vitamin B6 0.33mg19%
Vitamin B9 260ug64%
Vitamin B12 0.09ug4%
Vitamin C 60mg65%
Vitamin E 2.35mg16%
Vitamin K 250ug209%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 160mg12%
Copper, Cu 0.82mg0%
Iron, Fe 8mg75%
Magnesium, Mg 130mg32%
Phosphorus, P 370mg30%
Potassium, K 1140mg33%
Selenium, Se 60ug105%
Sodium, Na 360mg24%
Zinc, Zn 3.05mg28%
Water
Water 110g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2500 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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