Skip to main content

Ditalini with Pesto, Beans, and Broccoli Rabe

3.9

(51)

Image may contain Plant Cutlery Spoon Food Produce Vegetable Meal and Dish
Ditalini with Pesto, Beans, and Broccoli RabeSusan Gentry McWhinney

Crusty bread and radicchio with creamy Italian dressing make nice sides. End with red grapes and anise-dusted sugar cookies.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

8 ounces ditalini or other short tube-shaped pasta (about 2 cups)
1 pound broccoli rabe, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed, drained
1 7-ounce container purchased pesto
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water 3 minutes. Add broccoli rabe and boil until broccoli rabe is just crisp-tender and pasta is just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes longer. Drain pasta and broccoli rabe, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta and broccoli rabe to pot.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, bring vegetable broth and crushed red pepper to simmer in medium saucepan. Add beans and simmer until beans are heated through, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add bean mixture, pesto, and vinegar to pasta and broccoli rabe. Stir well, adding pasta cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in shallow bowls.

Read More
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
The secret to extra-fluffy stack? A splash of cold, bubbly seltzer.