Rigatoni with Green Olive Almond Pesto
Elevate your pasta night with this Rigatoni with Green Olive Almond Pesto, a vibrant and unexpected twist on traditional pesto recipes. This dish combines the briny tang of green olives, the nutty richness of raw almonds, and the fresh aroma of basil to create a creamy, slightly chunky sauce that clings perfectly to al dente rigatoni. Brightened with a hint of lemon juice and enriched by grated Parmesan, this quick 30-minute recipe strikes the perfect balance between savory and fresh. Ideal for busy weeknights or elegant dinner parties, it’s a Mediterranean-inspired delight that’s made even silkier with a splash of starchy pasta water. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil for a beautifully simple yet flavor-packed dish everyone will love.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Rigatoni pasta
- 150 grams Green olives (pitted)
- 50 grams Raw almonds
- 30 grams Fresh basil leaves
- 120 milliliters Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 whole Lemon (juiced)
- 50 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 whole Garlic (small clove)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 120 milliliters Pasta water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto: Combine the green olives, raw almonds, basil leaves, olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor.
Pulse the ingredients together until you achieve a slightly chunky but cohesive pesto sauce. If needed, add a small splash of olive oil to adjust consistency.
Reserve 120 milliliters of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni with the green olive almond pesto. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, stirring to create a silky sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.
Serve the rigatoni warm, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2420 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 184.8 g | 237% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.3 g | 161% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 5338 mg | 232% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 147.2 g | 54% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.4 g | 73% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g | ||
| Protein | 56.6 g | 113% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 880 mg | 68% | |
| Iron | 10.7 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 777 mg | 17% | |
*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.
