Trofie Pasta with Pesto
If you’re a pasta lover and a fan of vibrant flavors, you’re in for a treat! This Trofie pasta with Pesto and roasted garlic and pine nuts is absolutely delicious.
The recipe is simple and the dish comes together fast. If you’re looking to make this even better, make your own pesto instead of using store-bought.
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We love pasta around here! And here are some other great pasta dishes to make if you’re looking for more ideas:
- EASY PENNE PASTA WITH A CREAMY SAUCE
- GEMELLI PASTA WITH SPINACH
- CREAMY SPINACH SALMON PASTA
- FRIED SPAGHETTI AND SCRAMBLED EGGS
What you need to make Trofie Pasta
Trofie Pasta – the star of the dish. If you need to substitute, Fusili or Gemelli pasta might work. Make sure not to overcook the Fusili.
Garlic – adds an extra burst of flavor to the pasta.
Pesto – The sauce that brings this Trofie pasta dish together. You can also make your own if you have enough fresh basil.
Olive oil – to toast the garlic
Pine nuts – can skip these, but they really add some nice flavor and nuttiness to the dish.
Parmesan Cheese – Optional, but highly necessary. Really adds more flavor to the dish. I buy in chunks and grate using a small handheld grater.
How to Make Trofie Pasta with Pesto
Boil a pot of water to cook trofie pasta in. Salt generously and cook the pasta for 10 minutes or until al dente.
Meanwhile, heat up a small skillet and roast your pine nuts. You just need a couple of minutes for them to get a little browned. Be careful not to burn these as it happens fast.
Remove the pine nuts from skillet and add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Finely mince your garlic. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Since the garlic is so small it will be done fast, so make sure it doesn’t get burned.
Drain the cooked noodles and return back to the pot.
Add the pesto, toasted garlic, and pine nuts. Mix well together.
Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesean cheese and serve the pasta hot.
There you have it – a simple and delightful recipe for trofie pasta with pesto, roasted garlic, and pine nuts. With minimal effort, you can create a dish that bursts with freshness and a lot of flavor. Enjoy!
FAQ
What type of pasta is Trofie?
Trofie pasta is a thin and short twisted pasta that comes from the Liguria region in Italy. Traditionally this pasta is served with a pesto sauce.
What does Trofie mean in Italian?
It is not clear what the word Trofie means exactly, but it is thought that maybe the word comes from the Italian word ‘to rub’ which would indicate the way this pasta is made.
What does Trofie pasta taste like?
Trofie pasta tastes like, well… pasta, but is not so soft like Fusili turns out, for example. It is more on the firmer side and a bit chewy.
Is Trofie pasta chewy?
Yes, Trofie pasta is chewy in texture, though not excessively so.
Where can I get Trofie Pasta?
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t carry Trofie pasta. At least, not that I could find. Here in Germany it’s available in bigger grocery stores that carry more variety. Trader Joe’s has the pasta showing up in its online store. So it might also be available in the store. Supermarketitaly.com seems to be an online Italian store where you can order it. Also look for local Italian stores around where you live as they probably carry it.
Lastly, if you make this Trofie Pasta with Pesto, make sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating here! I’d love to hear back from you and will do my best to answer and respond to every comment. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make this recipe. I’d love to see the photos of the recipes you have made!
Trofie Pasta with Pesto
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dry Trofie pasta + water and salt for cooking
- ¼ cup Pine nuts
- 1-2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Garlic clove, minced
- 4 tbsp Pesto
- Parmesan cheese, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Generously salt the water and add the pasta. Cook until done (about 10 minutes).
- Meanwhile, heat up a small skillet on the stove and add the pine nuts. Roast them for 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat until they start to brown. Be careful not to burn them as they brown fast. Remove from the skillet to a separate bowl.
- Using the same skillet add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mince the garlic and add it to the hot oil. Sauté the garlic until it just starts turning light brown in color. Be careful as it is very easy to burn the garlic. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Drain the pasta and return it back to the pot. Add the sautéed garlic, toasted pine nuts, and pesto to the pasta. Mix well.
- Serve hot. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.