Creamy Pesto Casarecce with Red Onion & Long Beans

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A simple, fresh vegetarian pasta dish packed with flavour and perfect for a quick healthy meal.

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Serves 4

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Nutritional Benefits

Long beans provide fibre, vitamin C and folate to support digestive health and immunity, while the cheese contributes protein and calcium for healthy muscles and bones. Combined with energy-providing carbohydrates from the pasta, this dish is both nourishing and satisfying.

 

Ingredients

• 250g casarecce pasta

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 150g long beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp cream cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and black pepper to taste

 

For the Homemade Pesto

• 1 large handful fresh basil

• 1–2 garlic cloves

• 40g hard cheese (such as Parmesan or vegetarian Italian-style hard cheese), grated

• 4–5 tbsp olive oil

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Salt and black pepper to taste

 

Method

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Step 1 – Make the Pesto

Add the basil, garlic, grated hard cheese, olive oil and lemon juice to a blender or food processor.

Blend until smooth, adding a little more olive oil if needed for consistency.

Season with salt and black pepper to taste and set aside.

 

Step 2 – Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil.

Add the casarecce pasta and cook according to packet instructions until al dente.

In the final 3–4 minutes of cooking, add the long beans to the same pan.

Drain, reserving a small cup of pasta water.

 

Step 3 – Cook the Onion & Garlic

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Add the sliced red onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.

Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

 

Step 4 – Bring It Together

Add the drained pasta and beans to the frying pan.

Stir through the cream cheese first to create a light creamy base.

Add the homemade pesto and mix well, loosening with a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.

Season with extra black pepper and a little more hard cheese if desired.

 

Serving Suggestion

Serve warm with extra grated cheese, cracked black pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon for extra brightness.

This works brilliantly as a quick midweek dinner or meal prep lunch.

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Omnibus Fit Over 40 Tip 

For healthy ageing and long-term vitality, aim to include a source of protein and plenty of colourful vegetables in your meals. To make this dish even more balanced, try stirring through a handful of spinach, peas or roasted cherry tomatoes, and consider adding a plant-based protein such as chickpeas or cannellini beans. Small additions like these can help support muscle maintenance, recovery and overall wellbeing while keeping your meals satisfying and full of flavour.

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Good food supports good training.