Penne with Blue Cheese Pesto Walnuts and Asparagus
Elevate your pasta night with this luxurious Penne with Blue Cheese Pesto, Walnuts, and Asparagus—a dish that’s as indulgent as it is easy to prepare! Perfectly al dente penne is coated in a creamy, aromatic pesto made with tangy blue cheese, fresh basil, Parmesan, and a hint of lemon for brightness. Toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch, while tender asparagus brings earthy, vibrant notes to the dish. This recipe is a harmony of bold flavors, balanced textures, and fresh seasonal ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for entertaining. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a fuss-free yet gourmet option your taste buds will thank you for.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 4 ounces blue cheese
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 pound asparagus
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine blue cheese, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until combined.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
In a small dry skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and golden brown. Remove from heat and coarsely chop. Reserve a handful for garnish.
Trim the woody ends off the asparagus and cut the stalks into 2-inch pieces. Steam or blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until tender but still bright green. Drain and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne, blue cheese pesto, steamed asparagus, and toasted walnuts. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with the reserved walnuts and additional blue cheese crumbles if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1040 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 90.7 g | 116% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.6 g | 98% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 41 mg | 14% | |
| Sodium | 914 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 37.3 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.0 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g | ||
| Protein | 26.9 g | 54% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 479 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 5.5 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 580 mg | 12% | |
*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.
