Gluten-Free Pasta with Pesto Sauce
Brighten up your mealtime with this vibrant and wholesome Gluten-Free Pasta with Pesto Sauce! Perfect for those avoiding gluten but craving indulgent flavors, this recipe combines al dente gluten-free pasta with a velvety, homemade basil pesto bursting with fresh, aromatic ingredients. Crafted from fragrant basil leaves, nutty pine nuts, zesty Parmesan cheese, and a splash of tangy lemon juice, the pesto delivers a perfectly balanced profile that’s rich yet refreshing. The dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it an easy yet impressive choice for weeknight dinners or entertaining. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of cheese and extra pine nuts for a beautifully simple finish that’s sure to please. A gluten-free pasta recipe like this deserves a spot at your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten-free pasta
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt to taste, and cook the gluten-free pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse a few times to blend the ingredients. With the processor running, slowly add the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
Taste the pesto sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. You can add more cheese, lemon juice, or salt as needed.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and drain the rest.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the hot pasta with the pesto sauce. Use the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce, adding a little at a time until the desired thickness is reached.
Serve the gluten-free pasta with pesto sauce immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of pine nuts, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2149 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 165.6 g | 212% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.2 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 3066 mg | 133% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 140.2 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.2 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g | ||
| Protein | 34.9 g | 70% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 536 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 5.0 mg | 28% | |
| Potassium | 532 mg | 11% | |
*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.
