Best 2 Mint Pesto Pasta Recipes

Mint pesto pasta is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a light summer meal. It is made with a sauce that combines fresh mint, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts. This sauce is then tossed with cooked pasta and topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Mint pesto pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. It is a healthy way to enjoy fresh mint and a great way to use up leftover pasta. There are many different ways to make mint pesto pasta, so you can find a recipe that suits your taste. Some recipes call for adding vegetables, such as peas, zucchini, or tomatoes, to the sauce. Others use different types of pasta, such as penne or farfalle. You can also add different types of cheese, such as feta or mozzarella, to the top of the dish. No matter how you choose to make it, mint pesto pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is sure to become a favorite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PASTA WITH MINT PESTO AND FAVA

Pasta with Mint Pesto and Fava image

Pasta need not weigh you down; serve this light recipe as a starter, or top it with meatballs for a heartier meal.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup shelled fresh fava beans (about 1/2 pound in a pod)
1/2 cup roasted unsalted almonds (about 2 ounces)
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup finely grated pecorino cheese (about 2 ounces), plus more for sprinkling
1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for topping
2 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
12 ounces angel hair pasta (capellini)
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Steps:

Bring a small pot of water to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt. Blanch fava beans until bright green and tender when pinched, about 2 minutes. Transfer beans with a slotted spoon to a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking. When cool, peel off the tough outer skins, squeezing the beans from the skins (discard skins).
Pulse almonds with garlic in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add cheese and the oil; process to a coarse paste. Add mint, and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl, and top with a thin layer to preserve the color.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add 2 tablespoons salt. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions (about 4 minutes for dried, 1 minute for fresh); reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta. In a warmed serving bowl, mix pesto with enough reserved cooking water, then drain pasta. In a warmed serving bowl, mix pesto with enough reserved cooking water to form a thin sauce. Add pasta and fava beans, and toss well to combine.
To serve, divide pasta among four dishes, and top with meatballs; garnish with mint, and sprinkle with more cheese.

MINT PESTO PASTA

Mint Pesto Pasta image

A variation of a great Italian dish given to me by a friend.

Provided by Kate Phillips Masterson

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked linguini pasta
6 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
20 fresh basil leaves
10 fresh mint leaves
2 cloves garlic, chopped
½ cup pine nuts
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons ricotta cheese
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place linguini in the pot, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 tablespoons water.
In a blender or food processor, blend the reserved water, tomatoes, basil, mint, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Toss with the cooked pasta to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 302.7 calories, Carbohydrate 45.8 g, Cholesterol 2.8 mg, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 10.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 41 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

Tips:

Use fresh mint leaves for the best flavor. If you don't have fresh mint, you can substitute dried mint, but use only half the amount.
Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are fragrant and golden brown. This will bring out their flavor.
Use a good quality olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice, but you can also use a lighter olive oil if you prefer.
Season the pasta water generously with salt. This will help to flavor the pasta.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Be sure to drain the pasta well before adding the pesto sauce.
Add the pesto sauce to the pasta and toss to coat. You can add more pesto sauce if you like.
Garnish the pasta with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh mint leaves, and pine nuts.

Conclusion:

Mint pesto pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up fresh mint from your garden. With its vibrant green color and refreshing flavor, mint pesto pasta is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.