Courgette Basil Pasta With Pesto Crumbs Recipes

Steps:

• In a food processor blitz the basil with the Parmesan, pine nuts and garlic, season well with salt and pepper and gradually whizz in the oil until you have a glossy pesto.
• Heat a little oil in a frying pan and fry the zucchini for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly colored. Add the frozen peas and allow to defrost and warm through.
• Cook the pasta in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain and add to the pan of veg along with the pesto. Serve with a scattering of pine nuts and Parmesan.

Steps:

• Slightly undercook the pasta, then drain, reserving a ladleful of cooking water. Rinse the pasta with cold water to cool. Drain again, toss in a little oil to stop it sticking together and set aside while you get the rest of the bake ready.
• Fry the courgettes in oil for about 10 mins to drive off most of the liquid; they should reduce down a lot. Add the garlic and onion to the pan, cook for 2 mins more, then season really well and add to the pasta. Stir in most of the crème fraîche and half the Parmesan with seasoning, then tip into an ovenproof dish. Dollop the rest of the crème fraîche over the top.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Whizz nearly all of the basil, remaining cheese, bread and pine nuts together to make pesto crumbs, then scatter all over the top. Finish with a few more pine nuts. Bake for 20 mins until the topping is crisp and bubbling at the edges. Serve with a few more basil leaves scattered over.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cook the pasta for 1-2 mins less than the pack instructions say, so that it has a little more bite. Reserve a ladle of cooking water.
• Meanwhile, mix the pesto, crème fraîche and courgettes together. Add the pasta and stir well, adding a little of the reserved water to create a good sauce consistency. Taste and season.
• Tip the pasta and sauce into a baking dish and scatter over the breadcrumbs. Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake for 20 mins until the topping is crisp.

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, finely chop the almonds, chop the courgette into small chunks, crush the garlic and strip the basil leaves from the stalks. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the courgette for 2-3 mins until starting to soften, then throw in the garlic and half the basil and cook for 1 min more.
• Drain the pasta and add to the courgettes, along with the almonds, the rest of the basil, the Parmesan, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Toss everything together and serve with extra Parmesan on the side.

Steps:

• Put a pot of water on to boil. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the onions in 3 tablespoons olive oil until softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to keep onions from browning. Add zucchini, season generously with salt and pepper, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until rather soft, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, use a mortar and pestle to pound garlic, basil and a little salt into a rough paste (or use a mini food processor). Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil.
• Salt the pasta water well and put in the pasta, stirring. Boil per package instructions but make sure to keep pasta quite al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water.
• Add cooked pasta to zucchini in skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add 1/2 cup cooking water, then the ricotta, crushed red pepper and lemon zest, stirring to distribute. Check seasoning and adjust. Cook for 1 minute more. Mixture should look creamy. Add a little more pasta water if necessary. Add the basil paste and half the grated cheese and quickly stir to incorporate. Spoon pasta into warm soup plates and sprinkle with additional cheese. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a large, deep 12-inch skillet, bring stock to a boil over high heat. Once stock boils, stir in pasta, zucchini, mascarpone, garlic and half the basil; season generously with salt and pepper and reduce the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring frequently, until pasta is tender and liquid is reduced until thickened and creamy, 12 to 13 minutes, adding a splash of water during the last few minutes of cooking if needed to moisten. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, prepare the gremolata: Chop almonds and parsley with remaining basil until finely chopped and combined; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide pasta among shallow bowls. Sprinkle with gremolata and serve immediately.