If you’re looking for the world’s brightest and most flavorful pasta salad – you’ve found it! This is broccoli pesto pasta.
I combined tender broccoli pesto (yes, you can make pesto with broccoli) with fresh Parmesan and parsley for a mixture that elevates the pasta to out-of-this-world deliciousness!
Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad 
Ingredients:
- 8-ounces dry pasta
- 4-5 cups broccoli florets, cooked and cooled
- Zest and juice of ½ medium lemon
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup fresh Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup nuts (pine, walnuts, almonds, pepitas)
- 3-4 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup pine nuts (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley)
Instructions:
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Let pasta cool.
Place cooked broccoli, lemon zest and juice, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, nuts, garlic, salt and black pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process on low while drizzling olive oil in through the vegetable shoot until desired consistency is reached, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use (while pasta cools or if making ahead).
Toss broccoli pesto with cooked pasta until thoroughly combined and transfer to a serving bowl. Top with pine nuts (if using) and fresh herbs. Serve.
