Asparagus pesto is one of my favourite ways to enjoy fresh asparagus and simply tossing it with pasta is one of the first ways that I make it every spring! This recipe is pretty much the recipe for asparagus pesto that’s mixed with cooked pasta to make it a meal. The pesto starts by blanching the asparagus, cooking it until it just turns a dark green, before plunging it in cold water to stop the cooking process, which helps it retain the bright green colour! The blanched asparagus is then placed in a food processor along with basil (and/or baby spinach), garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, lemon juice, salt and olive oil and pureed into the pesto.
Updated 2025-05-26.
The original photo:
Asparagus Pesto Pasta
A fresh and bright asparagus pesto pasta that’s tasty, quick and easy!
ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne) (gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1 pound asparagus, cleaned, trimmed
- 1/4 cup basil
- 1 clove garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted
- 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese), grated
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- lemon juice to taste
- salt to taste
directions
- Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
- Blanch the asparagus by cooking it in boiling water until it turns just dark green before transferring to very cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
- Puree the asparagus, basil,garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice and salt until smooth. *
- When the pasta is done cooking: Drain, reserving 1-2 cups of the cooking water, and mix in the pesto along with enough of the reserved cooking water to make the sauce nice and creamy!
- Enjoy!
Option: Add (or replace the basil with ) 1/4 cup baby spinach.
Option: Replace the pine nuts with walnuts, or cashews, or pistachios.
Note: * Taste test the pesta and adjust as desired. Add more olive oil if required to get it nice and smooth. Optionally add more lemon juice, salt, garlic, etc. as desired.
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Kevin, i came across this pesto,sounds absolutely fantastic.Asparagus and spinach , healthy combo!!!!!!!
MMMMM….Kevin: what a great idea to make an asparagus & spinach pesto! I love this dish!!
Yummie!!
I made this asparagus pesto last night. It was absolutely delicious and went really well with the chicken piccata.
The bright green color was fantastic too!
Yummy!!!!