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Flavorful Roasted Garlic Scape Pesto Pasta Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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This pasta recipe features roasted garlic scapes blended into a creamy pesto with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan, tossed with pasta for a flavorful and comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup chopped garlic scapes (about 8–10 scapes)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (preferably packed in oil, drained)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (or walnuts/almonds as substitute)
  • ½ cup olive oil, plus extra for roasting
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle recommended)
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1-2 raw garlic cloves

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
  2. Rinse and chop garlic scapes into 1-inch pieces. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread evenly on the baking sheet.
  3. Roast garlic scapes for 12-15 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized, stirring halfway through.
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water before draining.
  5. In a food processor, combine roasted garlic scapes, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, Parmesan, and pine nuts. Pulse a few times to break down ingredients.
  6. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in ½ cup olive oil until creamy but textured. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen pesto.
  7. Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Pulse once more to combine.
  8. Transfer drained pasta to a large bowl. Toss with pesto thoroughly, adding more pasta water if needed for a silky finish.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Do not over-process the pesto to maintain texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Roasting garlic scapes mellows their flavor and adds smokiness. Use parchment paper for easier cleanup. For dairy-free, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast or omit. Gluten-free pasta can be used as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic scape pesto, roasted garlic scapes, sun-dried tomato pasta, pesto pasta, spring pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/flavorful-roasted-garlic-scape-pesto-pasta-recipe-with-sun-dried-tomatoes/