Spaghetti with Wilted Greens and Walnut Pesto Recipe

Spaghetti with Wilted Greens and Walnut Pesto Recipe

  • 1 pound spinach spaghetti
  • 1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts
  • 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan, plus more for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 package (5 ounces) baby kale or other braising greens
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)
  1. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions to al dente in a large pot of lightly salted water. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
  2. Add the walnuts, parsley, basil, garlic, and Parmesan to a food processor, and pulse to finely chop. Stream in 2 tablespoons of the oil to create a chunky puree. Add salt to taste.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. While the oven heats, fry the eggs sunny-side up and set aside. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast for 5 to 10 minutes, until they begin to burst.
  4. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, toss in the kale, and cook until it’s just wilted, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add the drained pasta, and cook for 2 minutes, or until warmed through. Stir in the pesto with about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and cook until the water has evaporated.
  5. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and top each with an egg, add one-forth of the cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of Parmesan and red pepper flakes to taste.