PESTO PASTA WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES AND BROCCOLI

Pesto Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Broccoli image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

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1 lb. corkscrew pasta
Kosher salt
4-oz. jar sun-dried tomato halves, drained and cut in 1/4" slices
half a 16-oz. bag frozen broccoli florets
1 cup prepared basil pesto (recipe follows)
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted in a skillet until lightly browned
1/4 cup manchego cheese, cut in pieces
3 cups basil leaves, tightly packed
1/4 cup olive oil
salt to taste

Steps:

PASTA: Put broccoli in a microwave safe bowl with two tablespoons of water, cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave until tender, about 4 minutes. Stir once half way through cooking time. Remove, drain and set aside.
Boil pasta in plenty of salted water until al dente. Reserve one cup cooking water, drain pasta and set aside. Return pasta to cooking pot and stir in sun-dried tomatoes, pesto sauce and broccoli. Add warm pasta cooking water and stir just until sauce is evenly distributed (you may not use all the water). Serve immediately.
PESTO: Pulse garlic, pine nuts and manchego cheese until coarsely chopped, about the size of peas. Add basil leaves and pulse briefly to combine. With food processor running, add oil gradually in a thin stream to make a smooth paste. Add salt to taste.