Ligurian-Style Pasta

May 10, 2023May 10, 20230 3

Ligurian-Style Pasta with Fresh Potatoes and Green Beans

by The Chefin Pasta

Prep

15 min

Cook

30 min

Ready In

45 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	3/4 lb fingerling potato ( or small white potatoes )
	1 lb spaghetti
	3/4 lb green beans , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
	2/3 cup prepared basil pesto
	1/2 cup parmesan cheese , grated

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

515

Sugar

Fat

19g

Originating from Liguria, a coastal region in northwest Italy, this Ligurian-style pasta is a classic Italian dish that showcases the region's best local produce. The recipe features boiled fingerling potatoes and blanched green beans tossed with spaghetti in a generous portion of fresh basil pesto and grated parmesan cheese. The combination of flavors and textures in this dish is delightful, with the pesto providing a punch of herbal freshness, the potatoes adding a subtle earthiness, and the green beans offering a satisfying crunch. This pasta is a great summer dish and perfect for vegetarians seeking a healthy and balanced meal option.

Instructions

1.	Boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until just tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2.	Add the spaghetti to the same pot of boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
3.	While the pasta is cooking, blanch the green beans in a pot of boiling salted water for about 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain again and set aside.
4.	In a large bowl, toss together the hot pasta, pesto, green beans, and parmesan cheese. Add the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to thin the sauce if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.

PROS

This Ligurian-style pasta is quick and easy to make, perfect for a weekday dinner.

It is packed with fresh and healthy ingredients, including fingerling potatoes, green beans, and basil pesto.

CONS

Pesto contains a large amount of oil and cheese, making this dish high in calories and fat if consumed in large quantities.

The recipe may not be suitable for those with nut or dairy allergies due to the use of basil pesto and parmesan cheese.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The potatoes and green beans in this recipe are great sources of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
Basil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and is rich in antioxidants that help protect against cellular damage.