Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese & Pine Nuts

Recipe by The Gourmet RD

You guys!  Did you know you can make pesto with so many different veggies? Well, YOU CAN!  And it's life-changing.  Because if you're having trouble finding new ways to use veggies, or just to get

Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta
• 4 cups broccoli florets (cooked and cooled )
• 1 zest and juice of medium lemon
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup fresh Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup nuts (pine, walnuts, almonds, pepitas)
• 3 cloves garlic (peeled)
• ¼ tsp coarse salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
• ½ cup pine nuts
• ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley)

Method

1. 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 goat cheese, pine nuts and fresh herbs. Serve.

View the recipe instructions at The Gourmet RD