Red Pesto Rigatoni

Red Pesto Rigatoni
Red Pesto Rigatoni
This red pesto tastes like a mash-up of your favorite spicy arrabbiata sauce and the savory anchovy-garlic dip bagna cauda. Just like a classic green pesto, this shiny sauce gets richness from nuts, cheese, and olive oil. The anchovies and chiles may not be traditional, but we’re here for them.     Like this Bon Appétit recipe? There are plenty more where this came from. Subscribe to the magazine here!  
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: 4 servings
Bon Appétit Dinner Lunch Pasta Anchovy Garlic Walnut Peanut Free Chile Pepper Parmesan
  • â½ cup raw walnuts
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 6 oil-packed anchovy fillets
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • â¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. double concentrated tomato paste
  • 2 red fresno chiles, halved lengthwise, seeds removed
  • 3 oz. parmesan, finely grated
  • â½ tsp. kosher salt, plus more
  • 1 lb. rigatoni
  • Carbohydrate 92 g(31%)
  • Cholesterol 35 mg(12%)
  • Fat 57 g(87%)
  • Fiber 5 g(19%)
  • Protein 26 g(52%)
  • Saturated Fat 13 g(67%)
  • Sodium 619 mg(26%)
  • Calories 974

Preparation Cook anchovies, garlic, oil, and walnuts in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until nuts are deep golden and garlic is just turning golden, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until it turns a shade darker, about 2 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Scrape walnut mixture, including the oil, into a food processor and add chiles, Parmesan, lemon juice, and ½ tsp. salt; pulse until a thick paste forms. Scrape pesto into a large bowl. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1½ cups pasta cooking liquid. Add butter, then pasta and ½ cup pasta cooking liquid to pesto. Using tongs, toss vigorously, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until pasta is glossy and well coated with sauce. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Do Ahead: Pesto can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Preparation Cook anchovies, garlic, oil, and walnuts in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until nuts are deep golden and garlic is just turning golden, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until it turns a shade darker, about 2 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Scrape walnut mixture, including the oil, into a food processor and add chiles, Parmesan, lemon juice, and ½ tsp. salt; pulse until a thick paste forms. Scrape pesto into a large bowl. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1½ cups pasta cooking liquid. Add butter, then pasta and ½ cup pasta cooking liquid to pesto. Using tongs, toss vigorously, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed, until pasta is glossy and well coated with sauce. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Do Ahead: Pesto can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.