Fusilli Pasta with Pesto
Elevate your dinner game with this vibrant Fusilli Pasta with Pesto recipe—a true celebration of fresh flavors and simplicity. Perfectly al dente fusilli is tossed in a rich, homemade basil pesto, crafted with aromatic garlic, nutty pine nuts, and zesty Parmesan cheese. A touch of lemon juice brightens the dish, while silky extra-virgin olive oil brings everything together in luscious harmony. Ready in just under 30 minutes, this comforting yet sophisticated dish is ideal for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Serve it as a main course alongside a crisp green salad or as a crowd-pleasing side, and don’t forget to top it off with extra Parmesan for the ultimate finishing touch! Keywords: Fusilli pasta recipe, basil pesto, easy pasta dishes, weeknight dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Fusilli pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic cloves. Pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the food processor and pulse for a few seconds to combine.
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.
Season the pesto with salt and black pepper to taste. Add the lemon juice and pulse a couple more times to mix.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Return the drained pasta to the pot, and add the prepared pesto.
Toss the pasta and pesto together, adding a little reserved pasta water if necessary to achieve a smooth, even coating.
Serve the fusilli pasta with pesto immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2872 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 160.4 g | 206% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.3 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 3066 mg | 133% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 299.1 g | 109% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.1 g | 54% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.6 g | ||
| Protein | 70.8 g | 142% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 600 mg | 46% | |
| Iron | 8.7 mg | 48% | |
| Potassium | 1000 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
