Cilantro (Coriander) Pesto Pasta
Did you know that cilantro (fresh coriander) makes an amazing pesto sauce for pasta? Topped with roasted tomatoes, this dish is perfect summer eating. If you have an abundance of cilantro, you will find this fresh, tasty pasta dinner a great way to use it up.
Ingredients
- 9 oz (250 g) dry pasta
- 12 oz (300 g) cherry or grape (baby plum) tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- olive oil, for roasting
Cilantro (Coriander) Pesto
- 1 bunch cilantro (fresh coriander), I use about 100g / 3.5oz worth
- Juice of 1-2 limes, see notes
- 3 tbsp raw unsalted pistachios, or pine nuts
- 2 large cloves garlic
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan or pecorino style cheese
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan / 390F.
- First, get the tomatoes roasting. Toss the tomatoes and garlic into a baking tray or roasting tin large enough that they don't overlap. Drizzle with oil, add salt and pepper to taste. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes.12 oz cherry or grape (baby plum) tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, olive oil
- Meanwhile, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, pulse the nuts, garlic and cheese before adding the cilantro (stems and all) and lime juice. Drizzle the oil in while blending until a smooth mixture is formed.1 bunch cilantro (fresh coriander), Juice of 1-2 limes, 3 tbsp raw unsalted pistachios, 2 large cloves garlic, 1/2 cup parmesan or pecorino style cheese, 1/3 cup olive oil
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and toss with the pesto. (Don't start cooking the pasta until its cook time aligns with the remaining cook time for the tomatoes - you won't want it to sit out while the tomatoes are still cooking).
- The tomatoes are ready once they have cooked down to become soft and jammy. Remove from the oven.
- Top the pasta with the tomatoes and serve immediately.
Notes
Number of servings - this will serve 4 as a light meal or side dish, otherwise you're looking at 2 large dinners + a leftover lunch or 2 adult + 2 kid size meals.
Cherry tomatoes - consider this quantity a minimum, definitely feel free to add more!
Limes - If your limes are on the small side and you want to make sure you get some lime flavor, use two. If they are larger, or you want to keep the lime mild, one will be enough.
Calories: 495kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 214mg, Potassium: 412mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 631IU, Vitamin C: 24mg, Calcium: 188mg, Iron: 2mg