We love Disney/Pixar’s Luca. It’s a sweet story about friendship and being accepted for who you are. The animation is especially phenomenal, as well. It’s so good that even the pasta they serve up within it looks tremendously realistic. It makes us hungry every time. So, we needed to recreate some of it just to keep our stomachs from growling during every viewing.
That means you get to share in the fun, as well!
So, here is our version of the Trenette al Pesto Recipe Giulia and her father, Marco, serve Luca and Alberto.
Our Ingredients
This Trenette al Pesto Recipe is a wonderfully simple but delicious one. It doesn’t need a lot of components but it still packs a lot of Italian-style, comfort food flavors. That’s mostly because of the Basil and Garlic which are the essence of this dish. So, you will need plenty of both of these.
Obviously, the other seriously important ingredient is the Pasta. It appears that they use Linguini in the film. That’s what the base of this recipe will be, as well. However, most any Pasta will work just fine. If you prefer Penne, then use Penne. Is Spaghetti more of your jam? Then use Spaghetti. It’s completely up to you!
- We’re creating this Trenette al Pesto Recipe from Disney/Pixar’s Luca in as simple a way as possible. So, that means we’re using Dried Pasta. If you’d like to take more time and whip up a batch of Fresh Pasta for it, that would make it even better. If you’d like to take this extra step and need a recipe, just email me and I’ll send the instructions to you.
What may surprise you about the components of this Disney Dish, are the addition of Fresh Green Beans and Yukon Gold Potato. While I suggest you add them for the comforting, heartiness they add to the recipe, you certainly can do without one or both items. You could also add proteins like Grilled Chicken or Shrimp if you so desire. This is a flexible dish so make it how you like it!
Oh, and don’t forget the Cheese! (Like that is even possible) The recipe calls for two Italian favorites; Parmigiano (aka good, quality Parmesan) and Pecorino. If possible, try to use both. However, if you struggle to track down the Pecorino, you can just double up on the Parmigiano.
The Pesto
This is what this dish is all about. While fairly simple, it is where nearly all of the wonderful flavor is found in each bite. The good news is that it’s pretty quick and simple to put together.
Place the Fresh Basil Leaves, Sliced Garlic, Lemon Juice, Pine Nuts and Coarse Salt in a medium food processor along with the Shredded Parmigiano and Pecorino Cheeses. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are lightly pureed, like in the photo below.
Now, begin to drizzle in the Olive Oil while pulsing the food processor until the Pesto reaches your desired consistency. I prefer it rather thick, as you can see from the picture below.
Taste and adjust the seasonings with more Salt or Lemon Juice, if necessary. Then reserve until ready to use.
The Pasta
This is a very simple recipe and this just happens to be the easiest part. Place a large pot filled with water on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the Coarse Salt and bring the water to a rolling boil.
Next, add your choice of Pasta, Cut Fresh Green Beans and Diced Yukon Gold Potato. Cook according to the Pasta package instructions until it is al dente.
- Al Dente Pasta should have just a little bit of firmness to it when you try to bite it. If you’re concerned you can’t figure out exactly when it is cooked perfectly, you may want to give it another minute. It’s better to overcook it slightly and have it just a little softer than you’d prefer than it is to undercook it and have your family and/or guests “crunching” through the dish.
Once the Pasta is cooked your desired consistency, drain and reserve about a cup of the water.
The Trenette al Pesto
Now it’s time to put our whole Trenette al Pesto Recipe from Disney/Pixar’s Luca together.
Begin by placing the Pesto in a large bowl along with a tablespoon or two of the reserved Pasta Water. Stir lightly to combine. Next, add the cooked and drained Pasta, Green Beans and Potatoes. Toss lightly to coat with the Pesto. Taste and adjust seasonings with a little Salt, if necessary.
What you do next is completely up to you. You can either top the large bowl with a few Fresh Basil Leaves and serve it family-style. Which will allow everyone to help themselves. Or, you can spoon servings of the Pasta into individual dishes with each one topped by a few more Fresh Basil Leaves.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Final Conclusion
Just like Disney/Pixar’s Luca, this Trenette al Pesto Recipe bring a lovely touch of Italy into your home. It hearty and comforting while not feeling overly heavy. On the contrary, it’s bright, herbaceous and flavorful.
The light acidity from the Lemon Juice really brings the Fresh Basil forward. Meanwhile, you get a lovely bite from the Garlic and a touch of meatiness from the Pine Nuts. It’s all brought together by the slightly salty richness of the Italian Cheeses.
Just like Luca the film, this Disney Dish a joyous celebration of Italy that is bright, tasty and fulfilling tasty all at the same time.
Make it this weekend and celebrate the flavors of Italy with your famiglia!
If you have any questions about this or any of our recipes, just hit us up below in the comments. You can also reach us through our Contact Us page or through email.
Trenette al Pesto Recipe from Disney/Pixar’s Luca
Makes approximately 4 – 6 servings
For the Pesto
- 2 cups – Fresh Basil Leaves
- 2 cloves – Fresh Garlic – Sliced
- 1 tbls – Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 tbls – Pine Nuts
- ¼ tsp – Coarse Salt
- 2 tbls – Parmigiana Cheese – Shredded
- 2 tbls – Pecorino Cheese – Shredded
- 1½ tbls – Olive Oil
For the Pasta
- 1 lb – Dried Linguini Pasta (or the Pasta of your choice)
- ¼ cup – Coarse Salt
- ½ cup – Fresh Green Beans – Trimmed and cut into 1″ pieces
- 1 – Large Yukon Gold Potato – Diced into 1″ cubes
Garnish
- Whole Fresh Basil Leaves (if desired)
For the Pesto
- Place the Fresh Basil Leaves, Sliced Garlic, Lemon Juice, Coarse Salt and Pine Nuts in the canister of a medium food processor along with the Parmigiana and Pecorino Cheeses
- Pulse the food processor until the ingredients are lightly pureed
- Slowly drizzle in the Olive Oil while pulsing the food processor until the Pesto reaches your desired consistency and is somewhat creamy
- Taste and adjust the seasonings with more Coarse Salt, if necessary
- Reserve until ready to use
For the Pasta
- Fill a large pot with Water and the Coarse Salt. Place on the stove and bring to a rolling boil
- Add the Dried Pasta, Cut Green Beans and Diced Yukon Gold Potato and cook according to the Pasta package’s instructions until al dente
- Drain and reserve the Pasta, Green Beans and Potato along with approximately 1 cup of the Pasta Cooking Water
For the Trenette al Pesto Recipe from Disney/Pixar’s Luca
- Place the Pesto in a large bowl along with 1 or 2 tablespoons of the reserved Pasta Cooking Water
- Add the cooked and drained Pasta, Green Beans and Potatoes and toss lightly to coat with the Pesto
- Garnish with a few Fresh Basil Leaves and serve in the bowl “family-style” or by adding servings to individual dishes
- Serve warm and enjoy!
If you enjoyed this dish, be sure to check out some of our other Disney Film themed recipes:
Alexander Hamilton Fizz – A Hamilton Themed Cocktail
Aaron Burr-Bon Manhattan – A Hamilton Inspired Cocktail
America’s Favorite Fighting French Martini – A Hamilton Themed Cocktail
In The Eye Of A Hurricane – A Hamilton Inspired Cocktail
In The Eye Of A Hurricane – A Hamilton Inspired Cocktail
If you’re a Disney Fan, be sure to check out our Disney Podcast, as well.
