Heavenly Pasta with Pesto
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this Heavenly Pasta with Pesto, a quick and easy dish that feels like a gourmet treat. Featuring tender spaghetti or linguine tossed in a homemade pesto sauce made from aromatic fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, nutty Parmesan cheese, and silky extra virgin olive oil, this recipe is a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights yet impressive enough for entertaining. Garnished with optional juicy cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweetness and color, this dish is deliciously customizable. Serve it with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil for the ultimate Italian-inspired comfort meal. Perfect for pasta lovers seeking fresh, herbaceous flavors in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g Spaghetti or linguine pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.5 cup Reserved pasta water
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Be sure to toss them frequently to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and let cool.
In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and salt. Pulse a few times to chop and combine the ingredients.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency. If the pesto is too thick, you can add a small splash of the reserved pasta water to adjust the texture.
Season the pesto with freshly ground black pepper and taste, adjusting salt or other seasonings as needed.
In a large skillet or mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the prepared pesto sauce, adding a little of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce coat the pasta evenly. Stir well to combine.
If desired, add halved cherry tomatoes for a pop of color and sweetness to the dish.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired. Enjoy your Heavenly Pasta with Pesto!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
572 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.3 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.8 g | 44% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 846 mg | 37% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.3 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g | ||
| Protein | 16.5 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 281 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 347 mg | 7% | |
*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.
