Asparagus Pesto Pasta Gluten-Free Recipe
This gluten-free asparagus pesto pasta offers you a quick pasta dish is light and bright yet deeply comforting. It delivers the kind of satisfaction that only a great pasta dish can. Leave out the cheese and it’s deliciously dairy-free!
Asparagus Pesto Pasta
SERVES 2 TO 4
Ingredients
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 small bunch (8 ounces) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces
- 1 small clove garlic crushed
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts toasted, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 6 ounces gluten-free spaghetti or other pasta shape (we like Jovial brand)
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus and cook until tender but not mushy, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the asparagus to a strainer to drain. Separate 1/2 cup of the asparagus tips from the strainer and reserve. In a food processor, add the remaining asparagus and the garlic and pulse until finely chopped. Add the basil, pine nuts, cheese, lemon juice, and 5 tablespoons of the olive oil and pulse 12 times more. Season to taste with salt and pepper and transfer the pesto to a large bowl.
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Meanwhile, return the water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente as directed on the package. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water.
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To the bowl with the pesto, add the hot pasta and reserved pasta cooking water and asparagus tips and toss until the pasta is well coated with the pesto. Garnish with basil, pine nuts, and cheese, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and serve.
Photography Erin Ng.
2 Comments on “Asparagus Pesto Pasta Gluten-Free Recipe”
I’ve been making a variable of this dish for a long time and love it! Instead of lemon juice, I use a shake or three of dried oregano, garlic and basil. I’m going to try the lemon next time, though. I sounds yummy. I also add mini tomatoes and chopped artichoke hearts. It’s such a tasty and fresh meal!
That sounds delicious! We’ll try it!