Broccoli never tasted this divine! This Broccoli Pesto Pasta is flavorful, wholesome, and an oh-so-satisfying dinner idea. Loaded with broccoli, parmesan, basil, and walnuts, this is a dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Before beginning to cook your broccoli, fill a large bowl with water and ice.
In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a boil.
Once boiling, add a tablespoon of salt and stir to combine. Add the broccoli and cook for about three minutes or until tender. Use a slotted spoon and transfer the broccoli to the ice water. Let cool and then drain. Set aside.
Bring the same pot of water back to a boil. Cook the pasta al dente. Reserve ½ cup of cooking water and drain the pasta. Return the pasta to the saucepan and set aside.
Roughly chop 3 cups of broccoli. Add it to the bowl of a food processor along with the basil, parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and ¼ cup walnuts. Pulse this until you have a coarse pesto.
Add the pesto, remaining broccoli, and reserved ½ cup cooking water to the pasta in the saucepan and stir to combine.
Cook on medium to heat through: about two minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and top with remaining walnuts, parmesan cheese, and freshly ground pepper.