Why This Runner Bean Pesto Pasta Will Become Your New Favorite

Pesto pasta has long been a go-to for many of us when we need a quick and satisfying meal. It’s my personal favorite for those busy weeknights when time is short but you still want something delicious and homemade. Traditionally, I might serve a simple green salad on the side to round out the meal. However, in this recipe, we ingeniously incorporate the vegetables directly into the pasta dish itself, making it even more convenient and nutritious.

The star addition here is the humble runner bean. These wonderful legumes not only add a lovely “bite” and vibrant color, but their unique flavor profile is surprisingly enhanced when combined with a rich, aromatic pesto. The result is a more wholesome and satisfying meal that still retains the fantastic, comforting taste of classic pesto pasta. Imagine a complete vegetarian dinner, loaded with flavor, extra veggies, and a delightful creamy texture, all prepared in a single pan – saving you precious time on cleanup after a long day.

This streamlined approach means you’re not just getting a speedy meal; you’re also simplifying your kitchen routine. From start to finish, this runner bean pesto pasta is designed to be on your table within 15-20 minutes, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking efficiency without compromising on taste or quality.

Discovering Runner Beans: A Seasonal Green Gem

Runner beans, also known as scarlet runner beans, are a true delight of seasonal eating. These distinctive vegetables are typically available from early summer, usually June, through the autumn months, often extending until October. You’ll frequently find them at local farmer’s markets, where their freshness is unparalleled, or in the produce sections of larger grocery stores.

For gardening enthusiasts, runner beans are also an incredibly easy crop to grow, yielding an abundant harvest that can be enjoyed throughout their season. Whether you’re picking them fresh from your garden or selecting them from a market, you’ll notice their unique appearance. They are generally flatter and possess a much coarser skin compared to their more common cousin, the green bean (or string bean).

Due to their coarser skin and broader shape, preparation is key for runner beans. Before cooking, it’s essential to cut them into smaller, manageable pieces – typically sliced crosswise into ¼-inch segments. This not only helps them cook more evenly and tenderly but also integrates them better with the pasta and sauce. Once sliced, runner beans are versatile: they can be boiled, steamed, baked, or stir-fried. In this particular recipe, we’ll be cooking them alongside our pasta to create a harmonious one-pan meal.

Always store runner beans in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them to maintain their crispness and fresh flavor. Their seasonal availability adds a special touch to this pasta dish, making it a perfect meal to enjoy during the warmer months when these beautiful beans are at their peak.

Crafting Perfection: Essential Ingredients for Your Pesto Pasta

To bring this vibrant Runner Beans Pesto Pasta to life, you’ll need a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. While the precise quantities can be found in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page, here’s a closer look at what makes each component crucial to the dish:

Key Components Breakdown:

• Penne: The Perfect Pasta Choice
  While spaghetti or linguine are often my go-to for pesto, the tubular shape and ridged surface of penne are absolutely fantastic for this particular recipe. Penne pasta acts like a tiny scoop, perfectly capturing and holding the pesto sauce, as well as the sliced runner beans. This ensures every forkful is a harmonious blend of pasta, vegetable, and creamy pesto. Remember, a crucial step for flavorful pasta is to generously salt your cooking water. While pesto adds flavor, it shouldn’t be overly salty itself, so the pasta needs its own seasoning from the start.
• Runner Beans: The Seasonal Star
  As mentioned, runner beans are distinct from green beans, featuring a flatter shape and a coarser skin. This makes slicing them before cooking essential for a tender texture. Aim for ¼-inch slices, which can be achieved with a sharp knife or a specialized French bean slicer. If runner beans are out of season or unavailable, fresh string beans (sliced) make a suitable, albeit slightly different, alternative.
• Pesto: The Heart of the Flavor
  The quality of your pesto can make or break this dish. Whether you opt for a homemade basil pesto (which is highly recommended for unparalleled freshness) or a premium store-bought variety, ensure it’s bursting with flavor. A vital tip: add the pesto to your pasta *after* it’s been drained and removed from direct heat, ideally in a cool bowl or pot. Excessive heat can cause the delicate basil to oxidize and turn black, dulling its vibrant color and flavor.
• Pine Nuts: A Nutty Crunch
  These small, delicate seeds contribute a wonderful, buttery, and slightly sweet nutty flavor to the pesto, and a pleasant textural contrast to the dish. For an even deeper flavor, consider lightly toasting them in a dry pan for a few minutes until golden and fragrant before adding them. This simple step elevates their natural deliciousness.
• Parmesan Cheese: The Finishing Touch
  A generous grating of fresh Parmesan cheese over the top before serving is non-negotiable. As it gently melts into the warm pasta and runner beans, it creates a luscious, savory coating that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Its salty, umami notes add that irresistible finish. For an alternative, Pecorino Romano can also be used for a sharper, saltier kick.

Effortless Preparation: Your Step-by-Step Guide

One of the many beauties of this creamy pesto and runner bean pasta is its simplicity. It’s designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort and cleanup, perfect for those evenings when you want a delicious homemade meal without the fuss. Below is a concise overview of the steps; for a detailed, printable version with exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this blog post.

1. Boil the Penne: In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook for 5 minutes. This gives the pasta a head start before adding the beans.
2. Add the Runner Beans: After the initial 5 minutes, introduce the sliced runner beans to the pot with the pasta. Continue to simmer the mixture for an additional 4 minutes, ensuring both the pasta is al dente and the beans are tender-crisp.
3. Combine with Pesto and Pine Nuts: Carefully drain the pasta and runner beans, then transfer them to a cool bowl or the same pot (off the heat). Stir in your fresh pesto and pine nuts until everything is evenly coated. Remember to keep the pesto away from high heat to preserve its color and fresh flavor.
4. Serve with Parmesan: Finish your dish with a generous grating of fresh Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. This creamy pesto pasta is wonderfully complemented by a fresh side like a classic Caprese salad, enhancing the Italian flavors of your meal.

This streamlined process ensures that you get to enjoy a wholesome and incredibly tasty meal with minimal fuss, making it ideal for any night of the week.

Tips for the Best Runner Bean Pesto Pasta

• Don’t Overcook the Beans: Runner beans are best when they retain a slight crunch. Cooking them for just 4 minutes with the pasta ensures they are tender-crisp and not mushy.
• Toast Your Pine Nuts: For an even richer, nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Watch them closely, as they can burn quickly!
• Pasta Water Magic: If your pesto seems too thick or needs a little loosening, reserve a tablespoon or two of the starchy pasta cooking water. Stirring this into the sauce can help create a creamier consistency that adheres beautifully to the pasta.
• Season to Taste: Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving. You might want a pinch more salt or a grind of black pepper, especially if your pesto is mild.
• Serving Temperature: While this dish is best served immediately, any leftovers should be enjoyed at room temperature. Reheating pesto can cause the basil to turn a less appealing black color and affect the fresh taste.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This Runner Bean Pesto Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides or can be customized with simple additions:

• Complementary Sides: As suggested, a fresh Caprese salad with ripe tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil is a perfect match. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also works wonderfully.
• Add Protein: To make it even heartier, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or some crispy baked tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based protein boost.
• Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables like cherry tomatoes (halved), spinach (it will wilt down beautifully), or even some blanched asparagus tips.
• Make it Vegan: To adapt this recipe for a vegan diet, use a dairy-free pesto (ensure it’s Parmesan-free, often using nutritional yeast instead), and omit the grated Parmesan cheese, or use a vegan Parmesan substitute.
• A Zesty Finish: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest just before serving can brighten all the flavors beautifully.

Storage and Nutritional Value

Understanding how to store your leftovers and what nutritional benefits you’re gaining is always helpful:

• Refrigerator: Leftover Runner Beans Pesto Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. As basil pesto tends to discolor when reheated, it’s best to enjoy this dish at room temperature.
• Freezer: Due to the nature of pesto and the pasta’s texture, freezing is not recommended. The quality and flavor will significantly diminish upon thawing and without proper reheating.
• Nutritional Value: This dish offers a balanced nutritional profile, rich in carbohydrates from the pasta, fiber and vitamins from the runner beans, and healthy fats from the pesto and pine nuts. The detailed nutritional breakdown per serving can be found in the recipe card below.

Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.

Need more inspiration?

• You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
• And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!

Andréa

More Delicious Vegetarian Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this easy and flavorful runner bean pesto pasta, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty more vegetarian delights waiting for you. Explore some of our other popular recipes: