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Farmers market pasta with roasted vegetables, walnut pesto, and roasted garlic in a ceramic bowl

Farmers' Market Pasta with Walnut Pesto and Roasted Garlic

Farmers market pasta combines tender noodles, roasted seasonal vegetables, and fresh walnut pesto for a flavorful meal with a balance of savory depth and bright herb notes. It is a flexible dish that highlights seasonal produce and works well whenever you want a comforting pasta with fresh flavors.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 621
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Roasted Vegetables
  • 8 oz / 225 g pasta (farfalle, rigatoni, penne, or preferred shape)
  • 6 cups fresh, seasonal veggies (see notes)
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • a drizzle of olive oil
  • salt to taste
Walnut Pesto
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • 1 1/2 cups tightly packed basil leaves (or other greens)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 very small clove of garlic
  • juice of 1 lemon (use half if very juicy)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the vegetables on a rimmed baking pan, then coat them with a small amount of olive oil and salt.
  2. Remove the garlic cloves from their skins. Place them in the center of a small foil piece, add a drizzle of oil, and seal the foil around them. Set the wrapped garlic on the baking pan.
Cooking
  1. Roast the vegetables and wrapped garlic for 20-30 minutes, depending on the vegetables used. Once softened, mash the roasted garlic into a paste.
  2. While the vegetables roast, blend the pesto ingredients in a food processor.
  3. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, toss with oil, and keep aside.
Assembly
  1. Combine the pasta with the roasted garlic and vegetables. Serve with a scoop of walnut pesto and enjoy warm or cold.

Notes

Veggies: Use about 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 2 cups chopped asparagus, and 2 cups sliced mushrooms. Different vegetables may need more or less roasting time, so adjust based on their texture. Pasta Doneness: A softer, more fully cooked noodle texture is recommended for this recipe.