Ok, we’re always looking (well, at least I am) for a tasty, easy weeknight, 30-minute, one-pot, one-bowl meatless pasta, right (wow, that was mouthful)? Well, good news because I’ve got one for you! I wasn’t sure if this pasta even qualified as a post since I do have some similar pesto-type pasta’s on the blog, but they have meat in them, and that might throw some of you off from even looking at the recipe, so I’m posting this meatless pesto pasta recipe for you!
I make this pasta up all of the time! I love it because it’s simple and easy, kid approved and even makes enough leftovers for the kid’s lunches the next day! Yippee!
Some nights we don’t feel like eating meatless, so I’ll add a bit of protein to our pasta like chicken sausages.
I occasionally use store-bought pesto, but since I’ve discovered my new FAVORITE kale, spinach and basil pesto, I find myself making up this pasta just so that I can eat some more of that pesto. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS PESTO, IT’S CRUNCHY AND DELISH!
Also, my kids LOVE broccolini in any shape or form, so I love tossing a few bunches of that into the pasta! The broccolini cooks up with the pasta, making this dinner even easier! Ok, let’s make up some pasta…
pasta with pesto and broccolini:
serves 4-6
- 2 cups of kale, spinach and basil pesto – or you can use your favorite store-bought pesto, but I would highly recommend trying the kale pesto!
- 2 bunches of broccolini, washed and trimmed
- 1 pound (1 box) rigatoni, or your favorite pasta- you can also use a whole-wheat or whole grain pasta to boost up the nutritional value
- Parmesan cheese for topping
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
Now is the time to make up the kale, spinach and basil pesto, if you haven’t done so already. I usually make up my pesto ahead to time to save myself this step, so I can do something else like help Eli with homework, or take on some other motherly duty!
Wash and trim your broccolini.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the broccolini during the last minute of cooking time. Basically if your pasta says it will be done in 13 minutes, then set a timer for 12 minutes and then add the broccolini for the last minute of cooking time (making it a total of 13 minutes).
Note: You can reserve a bit of pasta water if you want to make your pasta a bit creamier. I usually don’t add pasta water, because I like how the pesto clings to the pasta, but some of you may want a creamier pasta, so if that’s you, then go ahead and add a bit of pasta water!
I love cooking the broccolini with the pasta, because it’s all done in one pot and at the same time! How efficient!
Drain both the pasta and broccolini together.
Put the pasta and broccolini back into the pot and add in the pesto. Toss everything to combine! If you want your pasta creamier, then add a bit of pasta water to the pasta.
Serve up the pasta in a bowl and top with some parmesan cheese. Yum! 
This is a tasty, kid approved, easy weeknight, one-bowl, one-pot meatless pasta! Enjoy!
It even makes great leftovers for the kid’s lunches, as it’s great cold or warm. Here’s a photo of Eli’s lunch with the leftover pasta. 
- 2 cups of kale, spinach and basil pesto - or you can use your favorite store-bought pesto, but I would highly recommend trying the kale pesto
- 2 bunches of broccolini, washed and trimmed
- 1 pound (1 box) rigatoni, or your favorite pasta- you can also use a whole-wheat or whole grain pasta to boost up the nutritional value
- Parmesan cheese for topping
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta.
- Now is the time to make up the kale, spinach and basil pesto, if you haven't done so already. I usually make up my pesto ahead to time to save myself this step, so I can do something else like help Eli with homework, or take on some other motherly duty!
- Wash and trim your broccolini.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the broccolini during the last minute of cooking time. Basically if your pasta says it will be done in 13 minutes, then set a timer for 12 minutes and then add the broccolini for the last minute of cooking time (making it a total of 13 minutes).
- Note: You can reserve a bit of pasta water if you want to make your pasta a bit creamier. I usually don't add pasta water, because I like how the pesto clings to the pasta, but some of you may want a creamier pasta, so if that's you, then go ahead and add a bit of pasta water! I love cooking the broccolini with the pasta, because it's all done in one pot and at the same time! How efficient!
- Drain both the pasta and broccolini together.
- Put the pasta and broccolini back into the pot and add in the pesto. If you want your pasta creamier, then add a bit of pasta water to the pasta.
- Toss everything to combine!
- Serve up the pasta in a bowl and top with some parmesan cheese. Yum!
say something to Marin mama...