Green summer pasta

Pesto Vegetable Pasta

Baby marrow, green beans and cherry tomatoes join fusilli and basil pesto in a quick dinner that keeps every vegetable distinct.

Prep12 min
Cook18 min
Serves4
ConfidenceEasy
Fusilli with basil pesto baby marrow green beans and cherry tomatoesModern
Jump to recipe ↓Metric · °C · South African kitchen
Why it works

01Separate cooking protects texture.

02Warm water loosens pesto without frying basil.

03Raw tomato brings acidity.

How to make Pesto Vegetable Pasta

Cook it calmly.

  1. 01

    Brown the marrow

    Sear in a wide pan until coloured but firm; remove.

  2. 02

    Use the pasta pot

    Add green beans to the pasta water for the final 3 minutes.

  3. 03

    Loosen the pesto

    Mix pesto with warm pasta water away from heat.

  4. 04

    Fold gently

    Combine pasta, beans, marrow, raw tomato and pesto with lemon.

Common mistakes

  • Steaming baby marrow.
  • Boiling pesto.
  • Adding too many vegetables.
Technique

The detail that changes the dish.

Let the vegetable pan cool before pesto enters.

About the dish

Separate cooking protects texture.

Baby marrow, green beans and cherry tomatoes join fusilli and basil pesto in a quick dinner that keeps every vegetable distinct.

Warm water loosens pesto without frying basil. Raw tomato brings acidity.

Ingredient guide

How the ingredients carry Pesto Vegetable Pasta

Let the vegetable pan cool before pesto enters.

Use a fresh pesto whose basil still smells lively. Jarred pesto may already be salty.

Serve

At the table

Serve Pesto Vegetable Pasta when the sauce and pasta are still properly joined. Taste before adding more salt, cheese or chilli at the table.

Store and reheat

Later, if needed

Refrigerate for 2 days. Do not freeze.

Freeze

Be realistic

Refrigerate for 2 days. Do not freeze.

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

What is the key technique for Pesto Vegetable Pasta?+

Let the vegetable pan cool before pesto enters.

What should I know before substituting ingredients?+

Use a fresh pesto whose basil still smells lively. Jarred pesto may already be salty.

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