Pea-Pesto Handkerchiefs

Ingredients

  • 2 TBSP pine nuts
  • salt and pepper
  • 10 oz frozen peas
  • 1/4 c packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for serving
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 c grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving
  • 1/3 c olive oil
  • 12 oz curly lasagna noodles, broken into 2 in pieces
  • 1 c ricotta

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet 5-7 minutes; set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add peas and cook until bright green and tender, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon. Let cool slightly.
  3. When cool enough to handle, add half of peas to a food processor with basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano and 1 TBSP water. Pulse until a paste forms. With machine running, slowly drizzle in oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Return water in pot to a boil; add pasta, a handful at a time. Cook, stirring frequently, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain.
  5. Return pasta to pot; toss with pesto and reserved pasta water. Serve topped with remaining peas, basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Dollop with ricotta, drizzle with oil.