Bucatini with Walnut-Parsley Pesto

That parsley in your fridge is lonely! Let it hang with chiles and walnuts for your next weeknight pasta.
Recipe information
Total Time
30 minutes
Yield
4 Servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and slightly darkened, 8–10 minutes. Let cool.
Step 2
Pulse ¾ cup walnuts in a food processor or blender until very finely chopped (but not pasty). Reserve remaining walnuts for serving. Remove stems from chiles; add to food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Transfer walnut mixture to a medium bowl and stir in garlic, Parmesan, oil, and 1 cup parsley. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot and add pesto along with ½ cup pasta cooking liquid. Toss, adding splashes of cooking liquid as needed, until pesto coats pasta and sauce is glossy.
Step 4
Crush reserved walnuts with the flat side of a knife. Divide pasta among bowls and top with walnuts and more parsley.
Step 5
Do Ahead: Pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.