Farfalle with Walnuts and Rosemary

Despite finally having the perfect outfit in my closet, I am not the Barefoot Contessa when it comes to throwing parties. Oh, I wish I was. Her fridge is spotless, the pantry in perfect working order, and, of course, there’s always time for a cocktail. That’s not what my house looks like.

And I am a worry wart. There’s always too much rushing around, too many little things going wrong, too much time spent on trying a new recipe instead of making something I know will turn out well. I’m too focused on the details and not focused enough on just enjoying the company.

But a virtual dinner party? This I can handle.

No trying to find the tablecloth or making sure the napkins are cleaned. Just good food and good friends – that’s all you need, anyway.

farfalle_walnuts_rosemary2

For a fun Friday dinner party, me and a few of my friends (from blogs and in real life) are all sharing some new pasta dishes today.

I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for new ways to have pasta. No matter how good your bolognese is, there’s only so many nights you can have the same pasta dish in a row before you’re looking for something new. I’ve been toying with this idea of walnuts in pasta – without the pesto – for a while now, and finally made it happen. For the farfalle, I used Barilla Plus. It’s a healthier pasta option that’s made with healthy ingredients like flaxseed, legumes and spelt. It also tastes great and is our normal go-to pasta now.

For this, you really only need a few things: sweet onion, crunchy walnuts, bright rosemary, olive oil and hot pasta. How easy it that?

Make sure to check out these other pasta recipes – you may be changing your dinner plans…

Paula

Susan

Angie

farfalle_walnuts_rosemary3

Farfalle with Walnuts and Rosemary

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. Barilla Plus farfalle
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot (at least 6 cups) of water to a boil. Toss in a palmful of salt and stir in the farfalle. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is just tender.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, place a skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the olive oil to the skillet and toss in the diced onion. Cook the onions on medium until they are softened.
  4. Stir the chopped walnuts and rosemary into the pan with the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the walnuts are warmed and the onion is tender.
  5. Toss the pasta with the onion and walnut mixture and stir in the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  6. Serve immediately.

For more information about Barilla and their new pastas, check out their website or connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

As a celebration of their new packaging, Barilla has also launched a new gaming application for iPhone and Droid, “Capture the Pasta,” that has some great prizes. Check it out! http://capturethepasta.barilla.com/ The game is a virtual scavenger hunt that encourages users to “capture” the virtual pasta shapes near their location and share with friends for a chance to win one of 1,000 instant prizes, an Italian-inspired trip in the US or the Grand Prize of a trip to Italy!

Product was provided for me to use in my recipe and I was compensated for my time, but, as always, my opinions are my own

29 comments

  1. I love this! I think this would be a great side dish for Thanksgiving…mix things up a little!

  2. I can smell this cooking Brandi! Love everything in this bowl. Now where’s my fork? xoxo

  3. this sounds like an easy delicious pasta idea. Love the addition of crunchy walnuts :)

  4. This looks so good! I love the addition of walnuts.

  5. I bet the walnuts add a great bite – nice idea, B!

  6. Sounds like an incredible combination! Mmm…. I also love walnuts! And bowties are a favorite pasta of mine.

  7. I love the beautiful onions on top! And a virtual dinner party is so my idea of the best kind on a Friday night… Saturday I can handle “real” people :)

  8. This sounds like such a great, simple dinner for those days when you want to just collapse into bed at 8 pm. :)

  9. i was just thinking i need to find a good vegan pasta recipe – thanks!

  10. This looks fantastic! I love pasta dishes with herb-infused oils. It feels like something special but at the same time is so simple.

  11. This is exactly the kind of meal that I eat when I am not cooking for my hubs. I love simple pasta dishes and the walnuts are perfect!

  12. I love the idea of the walnuts in this, such a great combination of flavour and texture.

  13. Mmmm…I LOVE rosemary in pasta. This looks so wonderful!

  14. Oh I hear you on the frazzled hosting! It drives my husband nuts that I’m so tense before a dinner party, but I suffer from perfectionism!!! Gorgeous blog, girl!

  15. Love the idea of the virtual dinner party :)

  16. This just screams Fall comfort food. I love that you added some chopped fresh rosemary into the mix – I’ve been obsessed with that stuff lately! :-)

  17. Love this for Meatless Monday!!

  18. I feel like it’s not really a good party unless the kitchen is a big mess!
    And I love that you put rosemary in, such a great flavor with pasta.

  19. Who wouldn’t want to be Ina and have all that she has. That woman is amazing. Love that rosemary, and this entire dish. lOVELY!

  20. I love the flavors you added to the pasta dish, Brandi! It looks scrumptious!

  21. I love the way this pasta sounds but then again, if it has nuts, I’m IN. Ugh and don’t we all wish we had a little barefoot contessa in us?

  22. My husband despises the texture of cooked onions. Would it turn out good if I used just a 1/2 tsp of onion powder in place of the actual onion?

  23. I love this idea! I would just use a different pasta or make my own, because spelt is unfortunately not gluten free. :(

    • I’m not a Celiac, but very gluten intolerant and the knowledge of spelt containing gluten really needs to be out there to all. For those just learning, also gluten is in a lot of vitamins and pharmacuticals as well as cosmetics and hair products. I have had to become very leery and learn everything I can since finding out my issues.
      http://www.gfliving.com/?p=4240

Comments are closed.