Spaghetti with Pecan Pesto and Garlicky Breadcrumbs Recipe
A zingy pesto and buttery breadcrumbs make this simple pasta anything but ordinary. A hot pasta dish does not always have to be loaded down with sausage, cheese, and a heavy sauce. Lighten it up and try this quick and easy spaghetti dish, which is lightly flavored with a bright pesto made from fresh basil, parsley, and pecans. When making any type of pasta dish, however, one simple trick will take the dish from good to great. The key to making great tasting pasta is in the cooking water. Add about 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to a large stockpot of water before boiling. When the pasta is cooked, reserve a couple of cups of cooking water before draining the pasta. The salty, starchy liquid seasons your homemade sauce, gives it a silky texture and helps it cling to the noodles. Don't rinse the pasta or you will wash away more of the good starch. Add the pasta water a little at a time, stirring until the sauce is rich and smooth. The Herb-Pecan Pesto is also delicious drizzled over grilled chicken or fish, or spooned over goat-cheese topped crostini.
