Pesto Pasta

Cuisines

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Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups	fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup	extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup	pine nuts
2 cloves	garlic
1/2 cup	grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon	salt
—	freshly ground black pepper to taste
250 grams	pasta of choice (e.g., spaghetti, fusilli)
—	water for boiling pasta

Instructions

1. 1 In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
2. 2 Add Parmesan cheese and salt, and pulse again to combine.
3. 3 With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
4. 4 Season the pesto with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
5. 5 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
6. 6 Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
7. 7 In a large bowl, toss the hot pasta with the pesto, adding a little reserved pasta water if needed to coat the pasta evenly.
8. 8 Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.