Description
Experience the fresh and vibrant flavors of Pixar’s Luca with this authentic Trenette al Pesto recipe. This Ligurian classic combines homemade basil pesto with tender trenette pasta, perfectly cooked potatoes, and crisp green beans for a traditional and comforting Italian meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pesto
- 3 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Locatelli Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/3 cup pine nuts (optional, omit if allergic)
- 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
For the Pasta and Vegetables
- 3 gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 1/2 cups fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 lb trenette pasta (or linguine as a substitute)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Boiling Water: Fill a large pasta pot with water, bring to a boil, then add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Potatoes: Add the peeled and diced gold potatoes to the boiling water and cook for 4 minutes to start softening them.
- Add Pasta: Add the trenette pasta to the pot and cook for an additional 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Green Beans: Toss in the trimmed green beans, continuing to cook everything together until the pasta reaches al dente texture and vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Drain and Reserve Water: Drain the pasta, potatoes, and beans, reserving about 1/3 cup of the pasta cooking water for mixing with the pesto later.
- Make Pesto: Using either a mortar and pestle or a food processor, combine 1 teaspoon salt, fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, parmesan and pecorino cheeses, pine nuts (if using), and 1/2 cup olive oil. Blend until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more olive oil if needed.
- Toss Pasta with Pesto: In a large serving bowl, mix the reserved pasta water with two heaping spoonfuls of pesto. Add the drained pasta, potatoes, and green beans and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm, enjoying the fresh, aromatic flavors of homemade Ligurian pesto with perfectly cooked pasta and vegetables.
Notes
- Omit pine nuts if allergic; the pesto will still be delicious.
- If trenette pasta is unavailable, linguine is a suitable substitute.
- Reserved pasta water helps to loosen the pesto and improve coating on the pasta.
- Use fresh, high-quality basil and cheeses for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Luca recipe, Trenette al Pesto, authentic Italian pesto, basil pesto pasta, Ligurian cuisine, homemade pesto, vegetarian pasta dish
