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Fresh Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Recipe with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a vibrant pesto made from fresh garlic scapes paired with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes. Perfect for spring and early summer, this recipe offers fresh, garden-like flavors with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup chopped fresh garlic scapes (about 5–6 scapes)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting tomatoes)
  • Pinch of sea salt (for roasting tomatoes)
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (for roasting tomatoes)
  • Optional: sprinkle of red pepper flakes
  • 12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or any favorite pasta
  • Salt for pasta water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
  2. Rinse and dry cherry tomatoes. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Spread evenly on baking sheet.
  3. Roast tomatoes for 15-20 minutes until soft, blistered, and skins wrinkle. Stir halfway through roasting.
  4. While tomatoes roast, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  5. In a food processor, combine chopped garlic scapes, toasted nuts, grated Parmesan, and lemon juice. Pulse to combine.
  6. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while processing until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if pesto is too thick.
  7. Return drained pasta to pot or large bowl. Add pesto and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to help sauce cling.
  8. Gently fold in roasted cherry tomatoes, being careful not to break them up.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Notes

Toast nuts to enhance flavor. Use fresh, firm garlic scapes. Pulse pesto ingredients in short bursts to maintain texture. Gradually add olive oil to control consistency. Reserve pasta water to adjust pesto thickness and help sauce cling. Stir tomatoes halfway through roasting for even caramelization. Roasting tomatoes adds a sweet depth not achieved with raw tomatoes.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, roasted cherry tomatoes, pesto pasta, spring pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, vegetarian pasta, fresh pesto

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/fresh-garlic-scape-pesto-pasta-recipe-with-roasted-cherry-tomatoes-easy-and-delicious/