Orlando Bloom's Pasta Au Pistou

Elevate your pasta night with *Orlando Bloom's Pasta Au Pistou*, a vibrant dish that blends the fresh, herbaceous flavors of homemade pistou sauce with the hearty goodness of sautéed vegetables. Perfectly al dente spaghetti or linguine is tossed with a luscious blend of basil, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts, creating a smooth, pesto-like sauce that coats every strand. Bright cherry tomatoes and tender zucchini add a colorful, slightly sweet contrast, while a hint of lemon zest refreshes the palate with a zippy finish. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is as wholesome as it is elegant, ideal for anything from weeknight dinners to special occasions. Garnish with extra Parmesan and a dash of red pepper flakes for the ultimate finishing touch!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti or linguine pasta
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
• 30 grams pine nuts
• 100 milliliters extra-virgin olive oil
• 250 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the pistou sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. Pulse until finely chopped.

Step 3

With the food processor running, gradually stream in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in a little olive oil. Add the diced zucchini and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy. Add the cherry tomatoes and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until they just begin to soften.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to combine with the sautéed vegetables.

Step 6

Stir in the pistou sauce, adding a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky, evenly coated sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a hint of heat.

Step 7

Finish with a sprinkle of lemon zest to brighten the flavors. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1079.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2035.2

Total Fat 141.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.2g
Cholesterol 50mg	0%
Sodium 3246.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 150.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.6g	0%
Total Sugars 13.9g
Protein 54.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 726.5mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 1660.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.9%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 28.7%