Trenette al Pesto (Inspired by Disney’s Luca)

Bring the magic of Disney Pixar’s Luca to your kitchen with this scratch-made Trenette al Pesto recipe featuring basil pesto, potatoes, and green beans.

By Victoria Darnell
Originally Published 7/5/2025

​🍝Trenette al Pesto (Inspired by Disney’s Luca) 

​​What if you could bring your favorite movie meal to life?

​This summer, I watched Luca with my daughter — and we both lit up during the scene where Massimo serves a big bowl of Trenette al Pesto. It’s fresh, summery, and full of simple Italian charm. And it immediately made me think: we need this in our kitchen.
​
So here it is: a scratch-crafted version of the iconic Luca pasta scene, complete with a homemade pesto and garden-fresh ingredients.
This is the first in a brand-new series where I’ll be recreating nostalgic childhood meals seen in TV and movies — starting with Disney favorites. Let’s cook our way back to the magic.

---

Pasta Scene in Disney's "Luca"​

​I found this especially hilarious as to how they ate the pasta, my kids do the same thing lol!

​Video clip © Disney/Pixar. This clip is embedded from YouTube for commentary and inspiration purposes only. This blog post is not affiliated with or sponsored by Disney or Pixar.

---

🧑‍🍳 What is Trenette al Pesto?

This is a traditional Ligurian dish made with:
​

• Trenette pasta (or linguine as a swap)
• Fresh basil pesto
• Tender potatoes
• Green beans

​
It’s a simple, nourishing meal that bursts with flavor. In Luca, it’s the ultimate symbol of family and friendship. Around here, it’s a celebration of summer.

---

Here’s the moment they first taste the Trenette — it was the inspiration!
​

​
​(Credit: Image © Disney/Pixar)

---

Trenette al Pesto (from Luca)
​

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 20 min
​

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
​

For the Basil Pesto:

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Optional: squeeze of lemon for brightness

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz trenette or linguine pasta
• 1 medium Yukon gold potato, peeled and diced
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• Salt for boiling water
• Extra Parmesan for serving

---

Instructions:

1. Blend pesto ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
2. Boil water and cook potatoes for 5 min. Add green beans, then pasta.
3. Cook until pasta is al dente and veggies are tender. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
4. Drain and return to pot. Toss with pesto, thinning with reserved water as needed.
5. Serve with extra cheese and enjoy warm!

​​

---

​🥄 Step-by-Step Instructions

​
Step 1: Make the Pesto

In a food processor, blend basil, garlic, nuts, and Parmesan until finely chopped. Slowly stream in olive oil while pulsing to create a smooth sauce. Add salt to taste and a bit of lemon if using.

 |  Tip: You can make this up to 3 days ahead and store in the fridge or freeze for later.

---

​Step 2: Boil Pasta Water

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. It should taste like the sea!
​

---

Step 3: Cook Veggies + Pasta

• Add diced potatoes first and cook for 5 minutes.
• Then toss in green beans.
• After 3 minutes, add your pasta.
• Cook everything together until the pasta is al dente and veggies are fork-tender.

---

Step 4: Toss with Pesto

​Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining. Return pasta and veggies to the pot, add pesto, and toss gently to coat. Add pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.

---

Step 5: Serve

​Plate it up with more Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and maybe a movie night. Just like Luca.

---

​​🖨️ Printable Recipe Card
​

recipe_card-_trenette_al_pesto__luca_.pdf
File Size:	474 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

---

Cook Along with Me 
​

---

​🍴 Tools You’ll Need
​

​This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All opinions and content are my own.
​
​Here are the kitchen essentials I used to bring this dreamy movie meal to life. These are perfect for this recipe — and any pasta night!
​

• Food Processor – For smooth, homemade pesto
• Large Pasta Pot – Big enough to boil pasta, potatoes, and green beans together
• Strainer with Bowl – So you can easily reserve pasta water
• Wooden Spoon – For tossing the pasta gently with the pesto
• Chef’s Knife & Cutting Board – To prep potatoes and green beans
• Parmesan Grater – Freshly grated cheese makes a big difference!
• Tongs or Pasta Fork – To help plate and serve beautifully

---

​📋 Nutritional Information (Estimated per serving

​Serves 4
​

​Note: Nutrition will vary based on ingredients used (type of pasta, cheese, oil, etc.). These are general estimates.

---

​​❓Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought pesto?

Yes! While homemade pesto gives the best flavor, a high-quality store-bought version will still work beautifully — especially on busy days. Look for one made with olive oil and real basil.

What if I don’t have Trenette pasta?

You can substitute with:

• Linguine (closest in shape)
• Fettuccine
• Spaghetti
  Use what you have — the magic is in the pesto and potato combo!

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Here’s how:

• Make the pesto and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Cook the potatoes and green beans in advance
• Boil the pasta fresh and combine when ready to serve

Is this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

• Vegetarian: Yes!
• Vegan: Use a dairy-free Parmesan or nutritional yeast in your pesto.
  Swap egg-free pasta if needed.

Can I freeze the pesto?

Absolutely. Pesto freezes well in ice cube trays or small jars. Defrost in the fridge or stir straight into hot pasta.

---

​💬 What Movie Dish Should I Recreate Next?
​

Was Trenette al Pesto a dish you dreamed of trying after watching Luca? I’d love to know your favorite movie food moment!
​
➡️ Comment below with your suggestions or tag me on Instagram @scratchcraftedmeals — we’ll make magic one dish at a time.

Love cooking from scratch? Join our Community on Facebook at @FromScratchSociety ​

---

---

Disclaimer: This blog series is inspired by meals featured in childhood films. All movie names, scenes, and characters referenced are the property of their respective copyright holders and are used for commentary and inspiration purposes only.
​

Hi, I’m Tori Lynn (Victoria) – the heart behind Scratch Crafted Meals and now, Scratch Crafted Bakery! What began as a simple blog to share my love for homemade meals has grown into something more meaningful than I ever imagined.

This space started in my kitchen, where I poured my love for cooking into every dish I made for my family. Over time, what began as a way to share recipes turned into a full-fledged cottage bakery – built from the same passion for creating delicious, scratch-made food with care.
Through every blog post, late-night bake, market day, and recipe test, I’ve been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of this community. If you’ve ever tried one of my recipes, stopped by the bakery, or simply cheered me on – thank you. Your support has helped turn a personal passion into a dream come true.

I hope each recipe you find here brings warmth to your kitchen and joy to your table. Let’s keep creating magic – one dish, one loaf, and one cookie at a time.
​
With love,
Tori Lynn