Best Angel Hair Pasta With Pesto Recipes

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ANGEL HAIR WITH FENNEL PESTO



Angel Hair with Fennel Pesto image

When the holiday excesses are over and the lights are low, the time comes for quiet, simple dinners. This light, lively pasta is a welcome relief from the weeks of heavy protein.

Provided by Monte Farber and Amy Zerner

Categories     HarperCollins     Pasta     Vegetarian     Fennel     Tomato     Currant     White Wine     Oregano     Vegan     Quick & Easy     Dinner

Yield 4 servings as a main, 6 as a starter

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored, and finely chopped (core, outer layers, and fronds reserved; stalks discarded)
1/2 cup store-bought tomato sauce
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs, lightly toasted
1/2 cup finely chopped fennel fronds (from fennel above)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 pound angel hair pasta (capellini)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Dry-roast the fennel seeds in a heavy-duty sauce pot over medium-high heat, until they become slightly browned and give off a nutty aroma, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the crushed red pepper, and give a stir or two. Don't let the flakes burn.
  • Add 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and the onion. Sauté until the onion begins to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chopped fennel. Sauté for another 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, wine, and salt, and stir. Cover, and transfer to the oven. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, place the fennel cores and outer layers in 6 quarts of salted water, and bring to a boil.
  • Remove the pot from the oven (the vegetables should be thoroughly soft), and coarsely purée the sauce with an immersion blender. Add the currants, stir, return the pot to the stovetop over low to medium-low heat, and simmer, uncovered, for another 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the garnish. Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the bread crumbs, fennel fronds, and oregano in a bowl, and toss to mix.
  • When the water has come to a boil, remove and discard the fennel, and add the angel hair. Drain the pasta after about 1 minute, when it's just short of al dente, reserving 1 cup or so of the cooking water. Return the angel hair to the pot, and set it over medium heat. Add the fennel sauce to the pasta, and toss to incorporate. Add some of the reserved cooking water if needed to help incorporate the sauce and finish cooking the pasta. Serve in shallow bowls, topping each with a "halo" of garnish.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH CHICKEN AND AVOCADO PESTO



Angel Hair Pasta with Chicken and Avocado Pesto image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more to coat the skillet
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound angel hair pasta
1 large bunch fresh basil leaves (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup walnuts
2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 cloves garlic

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the skillet. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown on one side, 8 to10 minutes; flip and cook until cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into strips.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Meanwhile, in a food processor, blend together the basil, walnuts, avocados, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Drain the pasta into a colander. Transfer it to a large serving platter or bowl and toss with the pesto. Top with the sliced chicken. Serve immediately.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH TRAPANI-STYLE PESTO



Angel Hair Pasta with Trapani-Style Pesto image

Delicate angel hair pasta begs for an easy, elegant sauce. This one is a rustic tomato version of pesto, made quickly in a large bowl with grated fresh, in-season tomatoes, ground almonds instead of pine nuts, and a mix of fresh parsley and basil. Bring it all together with freshly grated Parmesan and olive oil for a light and lively meal that's a perfect pair with chardonnay or pinot grigio.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 ounces dried angel hair pasta
1 1/4 pounds ripe heirloom tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup skin-on ground almonds
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Crusty bread, for serving

Steps:

  • 1. Set a pot of water for the pasta on high heat and bring to a boil. In a large mixing bowl, grate the tomatoes on a large box grater, leaving behind the skins. Toss the tomatoes together with the ground almonds, basil, parsley, and garlic. Stir in the Parmesan, olive oil, and lemon zest. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside 1 cup sauce.
  • 2. When the water is boiling, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving one-third cup pasta water, and toss with the remaining sauce. Add the pasta water.
  • 3. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls, top with the reserved sauce, and garnish with additional freshly grated Parmesan. Serve with crusty bread.

ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH PESTO AND TOMATOES



Angel Hair Pasta With Pesto and Tomatoes image

Make and share this Angel Hair Pasta With Pesto and Tomatoes recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Melinda 2

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

12 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes
1/3 cup pesto sauce
1/2 sweet onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
salt
pepper
garlic salt
lemon pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Prepare Angel Hair Pasta to pkg. directions and drain.
  • In a large skillet heat olive oil.
  • Saute onion and garlic. About 2 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and pesto. Add salt and pepper, continue to cook until hot.
  • Add cooked pasta, Parmesean cheese, garlic salt and lemon pepper.
  • Toss and Serve.

PESTO AND TOMATO ANGEL HAIR PASTA



Pesto and Tomato Angel Hair Pasta image

Make and share this Pesto and Tomato Angel Hair Pasta recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Marie

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb angel hair pasta
3 cloves garlic
3 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup pine nuts
2 ounces parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
black pepper
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup diced tomato

Steps:

  • Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions.
  • Turn on food processor and drop garlic down feed tube.
  • Stop the processor and add basil, nuts, cheese and salt and pepper.
  • Pulse until finely chopped, then with motor running, add oil gradually through tube until blended.
  • Drain pasta and reserve some of cooking water.
  • Toss pasta with the pesto, then add tomatoes.
  • If mixture is too thick, add a little cooking water.
  • Can be served hot or cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 942.7, Fat 53.6, SaturatedFat 8.6, Cholesterol 12.5, Sodium 657.4, Carbohydrate 93.7, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 5.3, Protein 24

(RAW) ANGEL-HAIR ZUCCHINI "PASTA" WITH FRESH PESTO



(Raw) Angel-Hair Zucchini

This is a raw recipe from Natural Health Magazine. It's an alternative to pasta and has been a hit with friends and family who aren't raw foodists or vegetarians.

Provided by MichiganVeggie

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 medium zucchini, peeled
1 medium zebra green tomato, seeded and chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 pinch sea salt
1 pinch fresh ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 tablespoon raw pine nuts (to garnish)
basil leaves (to garnish)
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup pine nuts (preferably raw)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pinch fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Using a vegetable peeler or a spiral vegetable slicer, slice the outer zucchini flesh into lenthwise strips, discaring any seeds.
  • Stack the strips and then slice them into thinner "noodles".
  • Place the zucchini noodles in a medium bowl and add chopped tomato, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
  • Place all pesto ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, with just a few nuts visible for texture.
  • Gently toss the zucchini and tomato mixture with just enough pesto to coat.
  • Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
  • Garnish with pine nuts and basil leaves and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 374.7, Fat 37.3, SaturatedFat 4.3, Sodium 744.3, Carbohydrate 9.4, Fiber 2.9, Sugar 5.7, Protein 5.5

PESTO ANGEL HAIR PASTA WITH JUMBO SHRIMP



Pesto Angel Hair Pasta with Jumbo Shrimp image

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cups (packed) FRESH basil leaves (MUST be fresh)
1/4 cup pine nuts
cloves 2 to 4 garlic
Pinch of salt
1 lb angel hair pasta (cappalini) cooked (*retain 1/2 cup pasta water)
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese (finely grated)
3 tablespoons (good quality) Romano or Locatelli cheese (finely grated)
2 lb extra large or jumbo size shrimp (de-veined, shelled and cooked)

Steps:

  • In food processor finely chop/blend oil with basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic and a pinch of salt to a creamy consistency.
  • Add pesto mix to cooked buttered pasta along with cheese and mix well. Add additional pasta water* or olive oil if necessary. Olive oil makes it richer. (Use a large deep saucepan for easier mixing)
  • Toss in cooked shrimp disbursing well. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 0 g, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g

Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto Recipes: An Overview

Angel hair pasta with pesto recipes is a classic Italian dish that combines thin, delicate pasta with a savory and flavorful pesto sauce. The dish is simple yet sophisticated, making it a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike. In this article, we will explore the history of angel hair pasta with pesto, the key ingredients in the dish, and the different variations of this beloved recipe.
The History of Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto
The origins of angel hair pasta with pesto can be traced back to the Liguria region of Italy, where pesto sauce was first created in the 16th century. Traditionally, pesto is made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, all blended together to create a smooth and vibrant sauce. In the early 20th century, angel hair pasta was introduced as a thin, delicate pasta that could pair well with pesto, allowing the sauce to fully coat and flavor the strands of pasta. Today, angel hair pasta with pesto has become a staple of Italian cuisine, and is enjoyed all over the world.
The Ingredients of Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto
Angel hair pasta with pesto is a relatively simple dish that relies on a few key ingredients to create its delicious flavors. These include: 1. Angel hair pasta: This thin, delicate pasta is the ideal base for pesto sauce, as it allows the sauce to fully coat each strand of pasta. 2. Pesto sauce: The key ingredient in this dish, pesto sauce is made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. The sauce is rich, savory, and bursting with flavor. 3. Extra-virgin olive oil: Used to cook the pasta and add flavor to the dish. 4. Salt and pepper: Two key seasonings that help to enhance the flavors of the pasta and pesto sauce. 5. Parmesan cheese: A classic Italian cheese that is grated over the top of the pasta to add a rich, salty flavor.
Variations of Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto
While the classic angel hair pasta with pesto recipe is delicious on its own, there are many variations of this dish that allow home cooks to get creative and experiment with different flavors and ingredients. Some popular variations of angel hair pasta with pesto include: 1. Adding grilled chicken: Marinated and grilled chicken can be added to the dish for an extra protein boost and a smoky flavor. 2. Using different types of pesto: While traditional pesto sauce is made with basil, there are many different types of pesto that can be used in this dish, including sun-dried tomato pesto, kale pesto, and arugula pesto. 3. Adding vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes can be added to the dish for extra flavor and nutrition. 4. Using different types of pasta: While angel hair pasta is the classic choice for this dish, other types of pasta such as linguine or penne can also be used.
Conclusion
Angel hair pasta with pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make Italian dish that is loved by many. With its simple yet flavorful ingredients, this recipe is perfect for home cooks who want to create a delicious and sophisticated meal in no time. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or add your own unique twist, angel hair pasta with pesto is sure to please your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied.
Angel hair pasta with pesto is a go-to recipe for quick and easy meals. It is a perfect choice for those who want to have a delicious meal in the shortest possible time. The dish is a staple for busy weeknights, but it can also be served as a light lunch or dinner on the weekends. Angel hair pasta with pesto is a versatile dish that can be customized to taste, and it's effortless to make with just a few ingredients.

Tips for Cooking Angel Hair Pasta

Use Salt in the Cooking Water
The pasta cooking water should be salted like seawater to ensure that the pasta is not bland. It is recommended to use at least a tablespoon of salt per quart of water. The rule of the thumb is that the saltiness should be noticeable but not overpowering.
Boil the Pasta Quickly
Angel hair pasta cooks quickly, so you should be careful not to overcook it. Boiling the pasta for three to four minutes before checking is a good method to ensure that it is cooked al dente.
Reserve some Pasta Water
Reserve some of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta. By adding some of the pasta water to the sauce, you can achieve a smooth, silky sauce-like consistency. Pasta water contains starch, which helps to thicken the sauce.

Tips for Making Pesto

Use Fresh Ingredients
When making pesto, fresh ingredients are essential. While it is tempting to use pre-packaged pesto, homemade pesto is more delicious and healthier. Ensure the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic are fresh to get the best flavor.
Use the Right Equipment
Use a food processor or blender to obtain the perfect texture for your pesto. A blender is ideal for creating a smooth pesto, while a food processor is better at making a slightly chunky pesto.
Don't Overblend the Pesto
Blend the pesto just enough to obtain the texture you want. Over blending the pesto could cause the oil to separate, ruining the texture and the taste.

Tips for Combining Pesto and Pasta

Use the Right Ratio
The proportion of pasta to pesto is crucial for the flavor and texture of the dish. A good ratio is approximately one cup of pesto for every pound of pasta. It’s important not to add too much of the sauce to avoid overpowering the dish's flavor.
Heat the Pesto
Warm the pesto in a pan before adding it to the pasta. This will blend the flavors and help the pasta soak up the sauce better.
Add Some Cheese
Sprinkle grated parmesan, pecorino or any other hard cheese over the pesto-coated pasta to add flavor to the dish. This will give the meal a more gourmet feel and create a creamy texture.

Tips for Serving Angel Hair Pasta with Pesto

Pair with Wine
Pairing Angel hair pasta with pesto with wine is a great idea. A crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, complements the flavors of the dish. Red wine can also work depending on the specific pesto recipe and the drinker's taste preference.
Add Some Protein
Add some cooked chicken, shrimp or any grilled meat of your choice to the angel hair pasta with pesto to turn it into a complete, satisfying meal. This addition will provide more flavor and protein, which will make the dish more fulfilling.
Serve with Bread
Serve the dish with a loaf of garlic bread to create a more substantial and filling meal. The bread will also help to soak up any extra sauce while also adding flavor to the dish.

Conclusion

Angel hair pasta with pesto is a quick and easy meal that can be customized to taste. Follow the tips above to make perfect angel hair pasta with pesto. These tips will help you to cook the pasta perfectly, make the best pesto, combine the two, and serve the dish in the best possible way. With these tips, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that will be a hit with your family and friends.

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