Best Easy Pasta alla Trapanese Recipe

Sun-ripened tomatoes, almonds, and basil create this vibrant Sicilian pesto tossed with busiate pasta. A fresh vegetarian mediterranean dish that fits beautifully into clean eats routines.

Cook 25 min Difficulty EASY 410 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • busiate pasta (or fusilli) 12 oz
  • ripe cherry tomatoes 2 cups
  • raw almonds 0.5 cup
  • fresh basil leaves 1 cup
  • garlic cloves 2 cloves
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • extra-virgin olive oil 0.25 cup
  • kosher salt 1 tsp
  • freshly ground black pepper 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 58 g 57%
Protein 12 g 12%
Fat 15 g 31%
Serving size 220g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, following package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

  2. 2

    While the pasta cooks, toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring often until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

  3. 3

    In a food processor, combine cherry tomatoes, toasted almonds, basil leaves, garlic cloves, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until a coarse paste forms.

  4. 4

    With the processor running, slowly stream in the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture becomes a loose, vibrant pesto. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  5. 5

    Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl. Add the Trapanese pesto and toss gently, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time for a silky coating. Serve immediately, garnished with extra cheese and basil if desired.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What’s the key ingredient in this Pasta alla Trapanese recipe?
The core ingredient defining this dish is sun-ripened cherry tomatoes, which give the Sicilian pesto its vibrant flavor and fresh sweetness. Raw almonds and fresh basil are also crucial, creating a unique texture and distinctive aromatic profile.
Q. How should I control the heat when toasting the almonds?
Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Proper heat control ensures they turn lightly golden and release a fragrant aroma, adding delicious depth to the pesto.
Q. How can I keep the pasta from becoming gummy or dry?
Reserve some pasta cooking water and add it gradually when tossing the pasta with the pesto. This helps achieve a silky, well-emulsified sauce and prevents the pasta from clumping or turning dry.
Q. What is the nutrition profile per serving for this Vegetarian Pasta alla Trapanese?
Each serving (220g) provides about 410 kcal, with 58g carbs (57% calories), 12g protein (12% calories), and 15g fat (31% calories). This balance makes it a lighter Mediterranean dish fitting clean eating routines.
AI 채팅 아이콘