Pesto Pasta
Veg
Al dente pasta tossed in a vibrant Genovese pesto of basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Cuisines
Italian
Best for
Lunch
Dinner
Build a full meal around Pesto Pasta
Get a matched combo of sides and accents
Recipe
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 30 min
2-3 servings
Ingredients
|
2 cups | Basil , fresh leaves |
|
1/2 cup | Olive oil , extra virgin |
|
1/3 cup | Pine Nut |
|
2 cloves | Garlic , finely chopped |
|
1/2 cup | Parmesan Cheese , grated |
|
1/4 teaspoon | Salt |
|
— | Black Pepper , freshly ground to taste |
|
250 grams | Pastum , of choice (e.g., spaghetti, fusilli) |
|
— | Water , for boiling pasta |
Instructions
- 1 In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- 2 Add Parmesan cheese and salt, and pulse again to combine.
- 3 With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- 4 Season the pesto with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- 5 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- 6 Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- 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 Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
For a nut-free version, substitute pine nuts with sunflower seeds or omit them entirely.