Back to list

Best Easy Trenette al Pesto Recipe

Name: Best Easy Trenette al Pesto Recipe
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 230 g
Ingredients: trenette pasta 12 oz; Yukon Gold potatoes 2 pieces; green beans 1 cup; fresh basil leaves 2 cups; pine nuts 0.25 cup; Parmesan cheese 0.5 cup; pecorino cheese 0.25 cup; garlic cloves 2 cloves; extra virgin olive oil 0.5 cup; salt 1.5 tsp; black pepper 0.25 tsp

Flat Ligurian pasta with classic basil pesto, potatoes, and green beans. This vegetarian mediterranean staple is fresh, herbaceous, and makes a wholesome family dinner rooted in coastal tradition.

Cook 40 min Difficulty NORMAL 520 kcal

#vegetarian #mediterranean

Image coming soon

Ingredients

Main ingredients

trenette pasta 12 oz
Yukon Gold potatoes 2 pieces
green beans 1 cup
fresh basil leaves 2 cups
pine nuts 0.25 cup
Parmesan cheese 0.5 cup
pecorino cheese 0.25 cup
garlic cloves 2 cloves

Seasonings/Sauce

extra virgin olive oil 0.5 cup
salt 1.5 tsp
black pepper 0.25 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 73 g 56%

Protein 13 g 10%

Fat 20 g 34%

Serving size 230g

Cooking steps

1

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil; season with 1 tsp salt. Peel and cube the potatoes into 1-inch pieces.
2

Add potatoes to boiling water and cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes. Add trenette pasta and simmer for 4 minutes.
3

Add green beans to the pot and continue cooking for another 6–7 minutes, until pasta is al dente, beans are crisp-tender, and potatoes are soft. Drain, reserving 0.5 cup pasta water.
4

Meanwhile, for the pesto: In a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, and remaining 0.5 tsp salt on low speed. Slowly stream in olive oil for an emulsified, creamy texture. Pulse in Parmesan and pecorino cheeses.
5

Toss the hot pasta, potatoes, and green beans with pesto in a large bowl. Add reserved pasta water to loosen, tossing vigorously to coat. Season with black pepper and serve immediately.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?

The core ingredient in Trenette al Pesto is the homemade basil pesto, which combines fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and pecorino cheeses. These give the dish its signature herbaceous, creamy flavor and set it apart from simple pasta recipes.

Q. How should I control the heat to ensure perfect texture?

Use medium-high heat to boil the potatoes, pasta, and green beans together, monitoring the timing closely: potatoes go in first, then pasta, and finally beans. This sequence ensures potatoes become tender without overcooking green beans, and trenette pasta stays perfectly al dente.

Q. How can I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy or sticky?

Drain the cooked pasta, potatoes, and beans as soon as the pasta reaches al dente. Toss everything immediately with pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water, which prevents stickiness and ensures a silky sauce.

Q. How many calories and what is the macronutrient breakdown per serving?

Each serving provides approximately 520 kcal, with carbohydrates at 73g (56%), protein at 13g (10%), and fat at 20g (34%). This offers a balanced profile suitable for vegetarian and Mediterranean diets.

Best Easy Trenette al Pesto Recipe

AI 영양사 앤디