The Secret Ingredient (Parsley): Spaghetti with Parsley Pesto Recipe

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Updated April 26, 2019

There are funky pestos out there, pestos where basil isn't the star. Arugula pesto. Spinach pesto. I've even made a tarragon pesto. But I've never seen a pesto that has put parsley at center stage, and really celebrated what parsley's all about: grassy light freshness.

This pesto is made simply from parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, olive oil, and garlic--more garlic than usual because parsley can really take the flavor. Toss that with hot spaghetti, and nestle it down as a side next to some charred and grilled sliced steak. It's different and light and summery and fresh. Nobody puts parsley in the corner!

Recipe Details

The Secret Ingredient (Parsley): Spaghetti with Parsley Pesto Recipe

Active 10 mins

Total 15 mins

Serves 4 to 6 servings

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
2 cloves of garlic
2 3-ounce bunches of flat leaf parsley
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
2/3 cup grated Parmesan
2/3 cup olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Directions

Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and reserve a cup of pasta water.
Blast the garlic in the food processor until it’s smashed. Add the parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whiz until it forms a thick paste.
Toss the pasta with the pesto, and add reserved pasta water as needed. Serve right away. You can also spoon the pesto over grilled steak.