White Pesto Pasta

White Pesto Pasta
White Pesto Pasta
This is the direct inverse of the normal basil pesto you know and love. It’s built on a combination of toasted nuts, creamy ricotta, and salty Parmesan, with a little kick coming from raw garlic and fresh oregano. You don’t need a food processor, a mortar and pestle, or a blender—in fact, the entire sauce comes together in the same bowl you can use for serving.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: 4 servings
Bon Appétit Pasta Dinner Walnut Ricotta Parmesan Oregano Olive Oil Vegetarian Soy Free Peanut
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • â½ cup walnuts
  • â¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated
  • â½ cup fresh ricotta
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped oregano
  • 2 oz. parmesan, finely grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 lb. tube- or rod-shaped pasta (such as rigatoni or spaghetti)
  • Carbohydrate 89 g(30%)
  • Cholesterol 25 mg(8%)
  • Fat 25 g(39%)
  • Fiber 5 g(19%)
  • Protein 24 g(48%)
  • Saturated Fat 7 g(37%)
  • Sodium 229 mg(10%)
  • Calories 681

Preparation Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Vigorously mix walnuts, ricotta, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, and 2 oz. Parmesan in a large bowl until well combined. Add oil 1 Tbsp. or so at a time, stirring well after each addition, until all the oil is incorporated. Season pesto with salt and pepper. Cook pasta in pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Scoop 1 cup pasta cooking liquid into bowl with pesto and stir gently to combine (it’s okay if some of the pesto is still in small clumps). Using a spider, tongs, or slotted spoon, transfer pasta directly to bowl with pesto. Mix energetically until pesto thickens enough to lightly coat pasta, about 2 minutes; the pasta should have sauce clinging to it but there should also be some extra sauce that collects in bottom of bowl. Divide pasta among bowls and serve with more Parmesan alongside for sprinkling over.

Preparation Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Let cool, then finely chop. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Vigorously mix walnuts, ricotta, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, and 2 oz. Parmesan in a large bowl until well combined. Add oil 1 Tbsp. or so at a time, stirring well after each addition, until all the oil is incorporated. Season pesto with salt and pepper. Cook pasta in pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Scoop 1 cup pasta cooking liquid into bowl with pesto and stir gently to combine (it’s okay if some of the pesto is still in small clumps). Using a spider, tongs, or slotted spoon, transfer pasta directly to bowl with pesto. Mix energetically until pesto thickens enough to lightly coat pasta, about 2 minutes; the pasta should have sauce clinging to it but there should also be some extra sauce that collects in bottom of bowl. Divide pasta among bowls and serve with more Parmesan alongside for sprinkling over.