Fusilli with Spicy Pesto

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Giada at HomeEpisode: Lazy Day Lunch

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (20)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(20)

Cook Time:
34 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 10 min
Cook: 34 min
Total:: 54 min

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Ingredients

Pesto:

1 cup chopped walnuts
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 (2-inch long) red or green jalapeno pepper, stemmed and coarsely chopped* see Cook's Note
2 cups grated (4 ounces) Asiago cheese
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 ounces baby spinach
3 ounces arugula
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound fusilli pasta
4 ounces Asiago cheese, shaved

Directions

For the pesto: In a food processor, combine the walnuts, garlic, jalapeno, cheese, salt and pepper. Process until the mixture is smooth. Add the spinach and arugula and process until blended. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Place the cooked pasta and pesto in a large serving bowl. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with Asiago cheese shavings and serve.

*Cook's Note: For a milder pesto, remove the seeds from the jalapeno pepper.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Fusilli with Spicy Pesto
Hay Jin Yorba Linda, CA 09-02-2009
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Salty, no flavor and the worst pesto ever
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

I love Giada and have made some of her recipes with success but I'm sorry to say, this was the worst recipe ever. No Joke. ... My husband and I ended up throwing everything away and what's worse, I think with the exception of the cheese and salt, I had mostly used organic ingredients (which was pretty expensive!). I had decided to try this recipe based upon other reviews and I honestly don't know how anyone could give this dish 5 stars. The pesto is extremely salty (if you follow the receipe) and extremely tasteless. I have to agree with what Stacey said below... it tastes like a salty paste. If you really want pesto with your pasta, I'd say stick with the regular basil pesto or find another recipe!Read more
recipe Fusilli with Spicy Pesto
jay syosset, NY 08-05-2009
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Amazing! A huge hit!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was a huge hit with my family and friends! Everything about it is so delicious, especially the spicy flavor. The only... thing is that you dont need to put all of the pesto sauce in the pasta, its a bit too much. Instead, save it and use it on sandwiches the next day! Yummm!! My favorite recipe on food network yet!Read more
recipe Fusilli with Spicy Pesto
Stephen Dallas, TX 06-28-2009
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More Heat
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This pasta dish is delicious but not quite as spicy as I was expecting. Definitely a repeat recipe but I'll add more... jalapeno pepper or a touch of red pepper flakes next time. Also, perhaps cut back on the kosher salt by 1/2 teaspoon. Adding salt no doubt depends on the saltiness of the Asiago cheese, which I assume can vary. My pesto came out a bit too salty. But, still a winner!Read more
recipe Fusilli with Spicy Pesto
Pam Morrisville, NC 06-10-2009
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Different take on pesto
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I was skeptical about adding a jalepeno to pesto but the results were quite good. The pesto is already peppery from the... addition of arugula,so you don't need to add much black pepper. It is quite thick so adding pasta water to thin it out is a necessity. The sauce just adheres to the crevices in the fusilli and really is a flavor packed punch. I found it a little odd to serve as a main dish though, I feel it would work out better as a side or accompaniment to something else. I can definitely see using the pesto as a spread as well.Read more
recipe Fusilli with Spicy Pesto
Kathleen Chicago, IL 06-09-2009
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A Fantastic Break from Ordinary Pesto!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This recipe was absolutely delicious! After watching this bright green pasta come together on Giada's show, I knew I wanted... to try this one. My husband was so excited to have a new and exciting dish for dinner. If you are expecting a standard basil pesto you'll have to find another recipe because this is different. However, if you are ready for a change and a little spicy kick, try this! I followed Giada's tip on removing the seeds from the jalapeno to make a milder pesto, but I think next time I'll try to stand the heat and throw the whole pepper in- seeds and all. This dish would be perfect for company because the green color is so bright and fabulous- it really stands out on a white plate. Read more
recipe Fusilli with Spicy Pesto
Stacy New York, NY 06-07-2009
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Sadly -- Not Good
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

I was really surprised by how terrible this recipe was. I am a huge Giada fan and have been religiously watching her shows... and making her recipes for years. I made this pesto EXACTLY like the recipe. Sadly, my bf and I had to throw the entire batch out because it was so horrible. It was like eating plain paste. I was so excited to make this when I first saw it. We love spicy food, but this was a disaster. We ended up ordering pizza. Still love you Giada!Read more