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Ditalini with Pesto, Beans, and Broccoli Rabe

3.9

(51)

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Ditalini with Pesto, Beans, and Broccoli RabeSusan Gentry McWhinney

Crusty bread and radicchio with creamy Italian dressing make nice sides. End with red grapes and anise-dusted sugar cookies.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

8 ounces ditalini or other short tube-shaped pasta (about 2 cups)
1 pound broccoli rabe, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), rinsed, drained
1 7-ounce container purchased pesto
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water 3 minutes. Add broccoli rabe and boil until broccoli rabe is just crisp-tender and pasta is just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes longer. Drain pasta and broccoli rabe, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Return pasta and broccoli rabe to pot.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, bring vegetable broth and crushed red pepper to simmer in medium saucepan. Add beans and simmer until beans are heated through, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add bean mixture, pesto, and vinegar to pasta and broccoli rabe. Stir well, adding pasta cooking liquid by tablespoonfuls if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in shallow bowls.

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