Pesto with Green Beans & Potatoes, by Melinda

Trenette al Pesto with green beans and potatoes (source)

Trenette al Pesto (Trenette or Linguine with Pesto, Green Beans, and Potatoes--This is a traditional Italian pesto sauce over a mix of pasta, green beans, and potatoes. Trenette is a regional pasta but you can use linguine or fettucine instead.

• 3 cups packed basil
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp finely grated parmesan
• 2 tbsp finely grated pecorino
• 2 tbsp pine nuts
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• kosher salt & fresh-ground black pepper to taste
• 1 lb trenette or linguine pasta
• kosher salt to taste
• 8 oz. green beans, trimmed 
• 8 oz. baby red potatoes (or other small potatoes), roasted & halved

Make the pesto:  process basil, oil, cheeses, nuts, & garlic in a food processor until finely ground. Season w/ salt/pepper & set aside.  Bring 6-qt. saucepan of salted water to boil on high heat; add pasta & cook, stirring, till half-cooked, ~5min. Add green beans & cook, stirring, till pasta is al dente and veggies are tender, ~3 min. longer. Drain pasta & veggies, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water, & transfer to large bowl along w/ potatoes and pesto; toss to combine, adding a couple tbsp of reserved cooking water, if needed, to make a smooth sauce.  MMMWAH!!!!