bohemianwanderer – This vibrant pasta dish brings together the deep comfort of slow-cooked vegetables with the brightness of fresh herbs. Casarecce, a short twisted pasta, pairs perfectly with braised runner beans and a nutty, aromatic pesto. It’s a simple, flavorful meal that’s ideal for late summer cooking.
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Start by heating three tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add the finely sliced onion and cook gently for 20 minutes. Stir often to ensure it softens evenly and begins to caramelize. Once the onion turns golden, stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute.
Trim the ends off the runner beans, then slice them diagonally into 2cm pieces. Add the beans to the onions along with 100ml water and a pinch of salt. Cover the pan and let everything simmer for eight minutes. The beans should be tender but still hold their shape.
While the vegetables cook, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 400g of casarecce and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Before draining, save a cup of the pasta water to help loosen the sauce later. In a dry frying pan, toast 70g of pine nuts over medium heat for about three minutes. Stir regularly until they turn golden and fragrant. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
Herb Pesto Brings a Fresh Finish to a Hearty Pasta
As the pasta boils, prepare a bold herb pesto to tie the dish together. In a food processor, combine the toasted pine nuts, 15g of mint leaves, and 80g of fresh basil including stalks. Grate in 70g of parmesan and pulse until a coarse paste forms.
With the motor running, slowly drizzle in 100ml of olive oil until the mixture blends into a smooth pesto. Add the juice of half a lemon and season with salt and pepper to taste. This herb-packed pesto adds brightness and depth to the warm beans and pasta.
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Once the pasta is drained, transfer it into the sauté pan with the braised beans. Add the pesto and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything well until the pasta is evenly coated and glossy. The water helps bind the sauce to the pasta without making it too heavy.
Spoon the finished pasta into bowls and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a generous sprinkle of parmesan. This dish celebrates seasonal produce and fresh herbs with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Perfect for a casual dinner or weekend lunch, this pasta recipe highlights how simple ingredients can create an elevated, nourishing meal. It’s a perfect way to enjoy runner beans when they’re at their peak and to make the most of fresh garden herbs.
