Spaghetti, Burrata, Arugula-Basil Pesto for Spring

Spaghetti, Burrata, Arugula-Basil Pesto for Spring

Spaghetti, Burrata, Arugula-Basil Pesto
With Edible Flowers for Spring
🌿 🌸 🌿

Spring naturally calls for lighter, greener cooking—dishes that feel effortless yet still deliver plenty of flavor. This spaghetti with arugula-basil pesto fits squarely into that space. It’s bright from the herbs, gently peppery from the arugula, and softened with a touch of mint that gives the whole dish a fresh, garden-like quality. The addition of burrata at the end makes the dish feel a little more special, its delicate shell giving way to a soft, creamy center that melts into the pasta.

One of the small techniques that makes this dish stand out is the use of hot pasta water in the pesto. Instead of a dense, oily sauce, a splash of that starchy water loosens everything into a silky style coating that clings beautifully to the spaghetti. It’s not cream-based, but it has that same smooth, cohesive texture.

Once plated, the pasta becomes a canvas. A scatter of basil leaves, a pinch of red chile flakes, and a soft, milky burrata on top bring contrast in both flavor and texture. And for a final seasonal touch, edible flowers add a pop of color that makes the dish feel like it belongs at the center of a spring table—simple, vibrant, and just a little bit celebratory.

Spaghetti, Burrata, Arugula-Basil Pesto for Spring

Springtime Spaghetti Recipe

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A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A Passion for Pasta

Signature Series by Fontainebleau Las Vegas

In honor of National Pasta Day, Signature Series by Fontainebleau presented the “art of pasta” with detailed demonstrations of handmade and extruded styles which was led by acclaimed Italian-born Chef Stefano Chiarugi.

Attendees were able to learn more about pasta from the Chef and watch him demonstrate how to make the various pastas. We were able to then practice hand-rolling trofie, prepare the tortelli filling, and hand-form the tortelli by folding the dough over to form a half moon, then drawing the two corners together to form a rounded bonnet-shape.

A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A fabulous three-course pasta dinner followed the demonstration. The menu included the pasta shapes, pesto, and pumpkin filling learned in the class. The classic Italian wine pairing was courtesy of Fontainebleau Las Vegas Master Sommelier Kevin Reilly.

A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A PASSION FOR PASTA
with Executive Chef Stefano Chiarugi

ANTIPASTI

Saffron Arancini and Gorgonzola Cheese
Loaded Focaccia Pugliese
Caramelized Fresh Fig and Prosciutto di Parma
served with
Aperol Spritz

PASTA MENU

Trofie Pasta with Creamy Basil Pesto
Confit Cherry Tomatoes, Smoked Provola Cheese

Tortelli Filled with Roasted Pumpkin and Bufala Ricotta
in Brown Butter Sage Sauce

Chitarra Pasta with Black Truffle-Braised Duck Ragu
Aged Parmesan Cheese

Focaccia Romana for the Table

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Amalfi-Style Spaghetti with Zucchini

Amalfi-Style Spaghetti with ZucchiniSpaghetti with Pan-Fried Zucchini
Shishito Pepper Pesto

Inspired by Bobby Flay’s Amalfi Restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip

Bobby Flay’s stellar new restaurant at Caesars Palace is where he brings flavors of the Amalfi Coast to the Las Vegas Strip.

We had an absolutely delightful meal there recently…and would have tried even more fabulous dishes if we had room. Our server informed us that the Spaghetti Zucchine is one of the most popular pastas at the restaurant. The Chef wrote on Instagram that it has become the most requested pasta dish at his house.

Unable to fit in another pasta that night (we had the Caramelle and Pasta Rags, both excellent), I just had to try the Spaghetti Zucchine at home.

Amalfi by Bobby Flay
Turbot and Snapper at Amalfi by Bobby Flay
Amalfi by Bobby Flay
Charred Octopus, Burnt Orange, Pancetta at Amalfi by Bobby Flay

Amalfi by Bobby Flay

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Poolside Chicken Sandwich

Poolside Chicken Sandwich

Poolside chicken Sandwich

Grilled Chicken on a Poppy Seed Kaiser Roll
Shishito Peppers, Mozzarella, Pesto, Arugula, Garlic Mayo

It’s hot here in Vegas. The pool is officially open. And we are grilling everything in sight. Yesterday’s lunch was a delightful grilled chicken sandwich on a grilled kaiser roll with peppery arugula, herby pesto, gooey mozzarella, garlicky mayo, and a little surprise from grilled shishito peppers. Shishitos are thin-walled mild peppers with a fresh green vegetal flavor and just a whisper of heat. Every once in a while, though, you’ll come across a hot one!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Shishito Peppers Recipe

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Savory Greek Yogurt Parfait

Savory Greek Yogurt Parfait

Savory Greek Yogurt with Kale Pesto
Recipe by Nicole Putzel

With the summer solstice fast approaching, I decided to choose a recipe from the “Summer” section of Nicole’s veggie-centric cookbook, The Seasoned Plate: Delicious and Healthy Real Food.

This Greek Yogurt parfait is super fresh, colorful, and mighty flavorful.  Kale pesto is simultaneously earthy, nutty, garlicky, and salty. All these savory flavors harmonize with the creamy yogurt and are layered with blackberries, tomatoes, avocado, and walnuts for a delightful healthy cool lunch on a hot day.

Yogurt Parfait Recipe and Cookbook Giveaway!

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