Pasta with Walnut Sauce

Recipe courtesy Nigella Lawson

Show: Food Network SpecialsEpisode: Nigella Bites Christmas Special

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (11)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(11)

Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 5 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
Total:: 20 min

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Ingredients

6 ounces shelled walnuts
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1 slice bread, crusts removed
2/3 cup whole milk
1 ounce grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil (preferably Ligurian)
Salt and pepper
2 pounds any flat short pasta
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

Directions

Put a large saucepan of water on to boil, and toast the walnuts in a dry frying pan until they begin to make a nutty aroma. Put the bread in a bowl and cover with the milk. Put most of the toasted walnuts (reserving about 1 ounce for garnish) into a blender along with the garlic, bread soaked in milk, and Parmesan. Blend until it turns smooth and creamy, then pour in the oil and season well with salt and pepper before blending again.

Pour into a bowl, and set aside.

Add pasta to boiling water with salt and cook for the required amount of time. When pasta is al dente, reserve a cup of the pasta cooking liquid and then drain the pasta, but put it in to a large bowl while it's still dripping slightly with water. Sprinkle a little olive oil over the pasta to prevent it sticking together, and then add the walnut sauce, mixing it into the pasta (splash in a little pasta cooking liquid to make the sauce less thick if needed).

Roughly chop the remaining walnuts and toss them over the top along with some more Parmesan and the chopped parsley.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Pasta with Walnut Sauce
NICOLE New York, NY 03-06-2009
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Needs more brightness
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I felt the flavors were a bit dull and muddy so I added: - juice of half a lemon - fresh basil leaves - cayenne powder... to taste I also lightly cookd the garlic in the olive oil, then dumped the oil and garlic in with the walnuts, bread, etc. Gives it a flavor kick! Read more
recipe Pasta with Walnut Sauce
Anonymous 04-10-2008
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Substitution Suggestion
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

The first attempt with this recipe proved disappointing; the combination of the walnuts and the wheat pasta we used resulted... in a heavy dish with a woody flavor. My recommendation is to use "regular" pasta and try adding Italian-herb seasoned croutons instead of bread to create a more flavorful sauce.Read more
recipe Pasta with Walnut Sauce
Anonymous 12-17-2007
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Appealing/ Easy
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Wonderful dish -- (not sure why other reviwers are expecting an Alfredo when it is clearly not)-- simple and satisfying. ... Alfredo lovers can easily rework this dish...but that means more "work". This recipe is good for a side or appetizer as well. Boiling pasta and pouring over a very creative and healthy blender sauce coudn't be easier.Read more
recipe Pasta with Walnut Sauce
marina anchorage, AK 05-27-2007
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very easy
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

love this recipe. unusual. easy
recipe Pasta with Walnut Sauce
Anonymous 03-25-2007
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not so good...
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

i made this the other day for lunch because it looked very easy to make. I eas disappointed with the results. I didnt like... the flavors. I will not make this again, but i still love Nigella.Read more
recipe Pasta with Walnut Sauce
holly buenos aires 03-12-2007
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Flavor-less
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

I was quite looking forward to this dish, as I love walnuts and parmesan and garlic and with those flavors together over... pasta, well, yum! Unfortunately, this sauce lacks zest and at best could be called bland. No one in my family would eat it...When it comes to creamy pasta sauces it's better to go hog wild and keep the real cream and butter and just eat smaller portions, rather than trying to make a low-cal pasta which does nothing for the pallate! Where's the alfredo?Read more