Produced by:
Recipe Highlights:
- Antioxidant-Rich Red Cabbage: Packed with anthocyanins and vitamin C, red cabbage supports immune health and helps fight inflammation.
- Heart-Healthy Pine Nuts: Pine nuts offer healthy fats, protein, and magnesium, which support heart and brain function.
- Calcium & Protein from Parmesan: Parmesan cheese delivers bone-strengthening calcium and a boost of umami-rich protein.
- Fibre & Energy from Whole Pasta (if using whole grain): Pasta provides sustained energy, especially when paired with fibre-rich veggies like cabbage.
Keywords:
Lunch, Vegetable, Dinner, Cabbage
Give your pasta night a bold and colourful twist with this vibrant Purple Pasta Pesto! Blanched red cabbage creates a stunning magenta hue, blended into a creamy, nutrient-rich pesto alongside toasted pine nuts, fragrant basil, and salty Parmesan. Tossed through perfectly cooked spaghetti, this dish is as eye-catching as it is delicious — earthy, nutty, and fresh with every bite. It’s a fun, wholesome way to brighten your plate and surprise your taste buds, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with something out of the ordinary.
Ingredients
- ½ red cabbage
- 1 cup pine nuts
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
- Pre-cooked spaghetti
- A bunch of basil leaves
Method:
- To prepare the purple pesto, start by blanching the red cabbage. Chop the cabbage into smaller pieces and quickly dunk them in a pot of boiling water. Let them blanch for a short time to remove the raw harshness while preserving the vibrant purple colour. Immediately transfer the cabbage to a bowl of icy cold water to stop the cooking process and lock in the bright hue.
- Once the cabbage is cooled, drain it well and transfer it to a blender. Add the pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and a generous handful of basil leaves. Drizzle in some olive oil to help the mixture blend smoothly. Blend until you achieve a creamy, rich pesto consistency, adjusting with a little more oil if needed.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the pre-cooked spaghetti with the freshly made purple pesto, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated. Garnish with extra basil leaves, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and a crack of black pepper for added flavour.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.