Roasted Asparagus Pesto Linguine

This Roasted Asparagus Pesto Linguine is such a special recipe. It's not only delicious and unique, but it's fresh, flavorful, creamy, and just such a beautiful way to use fresh asparagus. Another reason it's special is that it's an original recipe I created with my dad many years ago (more on that below). I love serving it with linguine fini if you can find it, but any noodle will work. It is such a quick and easy meal and a true celebration of my favorite springtime vegetable.

My dad and I created Roasted Asparagus Pesto Linguine years ago

and I've always wanted to share it here but somehow never got around to it. I went scouring through old emails looking for where we had written about it. What I found was a thread of emails and in one of them I had written up a little word doc - my first attempt at blogging. In fact, this was created when I was first thinking about starting my blog and my dad and I had some very funny, witty banter surrounding this recipe and my prospective blogging career. I totally got sucked down the rabbit hole and started reading lots of our old emails. Of course by the end of it I was laughing and crying but reminded of what a wonderful relationship we had and how much we both loved food.

What this word doc lacked, however, was the actual recipe for the roasted asparagus pesto linguine. I just wrote about how much my kids loved it and how it was a fun way to "sneak" veggies into them. Not really sneaking, I mean, the stuff is bright green. But I do think there is something about pasta with pesto. Most kids really love it and mine were no exception. So this recipe is recreated and written from my memory and I think I nailed it.

Roasted Asparagus Pesto Linguine - a celebration of asparagus season

I have two entire beds in my beloved raised bed garden devoted entirely to asparagus. If you garden, you may know that asparagus is a waiting game. In fact, from seed, you have to wait about 3 years before you can harvest. Armed with this knowledge, last year I purchased and planted some 2-year-old asparagus crowns (aka roots) so I would not have to wait so long. I did as I was instructed and left the asparagus to grow tall and frilly and go to seed (of course I did sneak a few for a garden snack here and there). Consequently, this spring I was rewarded with a plentiful crop that just keeps on giving. I'll be sad to say goodbye to asparagus season. But for now I am wallowing in it and celebrating with this beautiful roasted asparagus pesto linguine recipe.

What you'll need to make this Roasted Asparagus Pesto Linguine

• fresh asparagus - about 1 lb or one bunch
• garlic
• pistachios
• basil
• parsley
• pecorino and parmesan
• olive oil
• lemon juice and zest
• salt and pepper
• 1 pound of your favorite pasta
• and a little extra cheese, lemon zest, chopped pistachios, and herbs for topping (pictured above)

It's just a matter of roasting the asparagus and garlic, letting them cool slightly, and whizzing all the ingredients up in a food processor. Super easy. And this makes just the right amount of roasted asparagus pesto linguine for 1 pound of pasta. My dad and I loved it with linguine fini. But, though some stores carry it, it can be hard to find and I've just started ordering mine online. Use whatever pasta shape/size you love.

That's it! Serve this pesto any way you like. It is delicious on cheesy garlic bread, inside panini or grilled cheese, or on a cheese and charcuterie platter. Although, my preference will always be to serve it tossed with linguine fini the way my dad and I had it all those years ago. I hope you love this recipe. xo - Anita

More Springtime Recipes You'll Love

• Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Tahini Dressing
• Rhubarb Galette
• Rhubarb + Elderflower Refresher (cocktail)
• Strawberry Shortcake Cookies
• Savory Olive Oil Muffins with Lemon, Feta, & Dill
• Triple Berry Scones

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