- The Cookful - https://thecookful.com -

Pasta with Brussels Sprouts, Pesto, and Pecorino

Posted By Christine Pittman On In All Our Recipes,Brussels Sprouts | 3 Comments
Jump to Recipe

Pasta, pesto and pecorino – with Brussels sprouts? Say what? Trust us. It’s damned good.

Pasta, pesto, and pecorino may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Brussels sprouts. That’s partly why we’ve put them together here. We really want to show how versatile Brussels sprouts are. They’re not just a Thanksgiving side dish. They can be super-stars in all kinds of recipes.

Jump To:
  1. Balancing Bitter Brussels Sprouts
  2. How To Make Pasta With Brussels Sprouts
  3. Pasta with Brussels Sprouts, Pesto and Pecorino
Close up of fettuccni pasta with Brussels sprouts and shaved pecorino cheese on a white plate on a wood table with a cheese grater and wedge of white cheese in the background on a wood cutting board.

Balancing Bitter Brussels Sprouts

Why does this recipe work? Brussels sprouts are a tad on the bitter side. The sweetness of the basil, oiliness of the olive oil, and saltiness of the cheese mellow out that bitterness. What’s left is really soft meaty flavors from the sprouts, surrounded by carbs. How could it possibly be bad?

How To Make Pasta With Brussels Sprouts

A great thing about this recipe is that it’s made in one pot. And I love a good one-pot meal. Less dishes? Yes, please!

You cook the pasta according to the package. Then you add the sprouts for the last few minutes of cooking.

Drain off the water, then stir in the pesto, cheese, and olive oil. Serve, perhaps with some tasty garlic bread. Meatless Monday, here I come!

Print
Brussels Sprouts with Pasta, Pesto and Pecorino

Pasta with Brussels Sprouts, Pesto and Pecorino

Contributor: Christine Pittman

Pasta, pesto and pecorino – with Brussels sprouts? Say what? Trust us. It’s damned good.

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review
  • Author: Christine Pittman
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 17 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Entrée
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb. fettuccine pasta
  • 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (quartered if large)
  • 6 Tbsp. pesto sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Pecorino, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 tsp. coarse salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper

Instructions

  1. Fill big pot with water and boil on high. Add salt as desired. Add fettuccine and cook according to package directions but add Brussels sprouts for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  2. Drain and add pesto, olive oil, pecorino, salt, and pepper.
  3. Toss ingredients together and top with additional grated pecorino (or use a potato peeler to scrape long ribbons from the block of cheese). Serve.

Notes

  • For the sprouts, include any leaves that fall off when cutting as long as they are not discolored.

This post originally appeared in November 2015 and was revised and republished in October 2022.