Nut-Free Classic Basil Pesto Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with this Nut-Free Classic Basil Pesto Pasta, a fresh and flavorful spin on the traditional recipe that's perfect for diet-sensitive households or those seeking an easy alternative to nut-based pesto. Featuring vibrant basil, rich Parmesan cheese, zesty lemon juice, and aromatic garlic, this pesto packs bold flavor without the need for pine nuts or walnuts. Smoothly blended with extra-virgin olive oil and tossed with your favorite pasta, this dish is ready in just 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing option for entertaining. Serve it with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan to take this nut-free delight to the next level. Enjoy a hassle-free, creamy pesto pasta that's bursting with garden-fresh taste and fits seamlessly into any meal plan!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 12 ounces Pasta of choice
- 4 quarts Water
- 1 tablespoon Salt for pasta water
Instructions
Begin by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
Add the pasta to the boiling water, stirring occasionally, and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the nut-free pesto. In a food processor, combine 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 2 large garlic cloves, and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and pulse until the mixture is roughly chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 0.5 cup of extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
Season the pesto with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper, adjusting to taste if necessary.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
Return the pasta to the pot and add the pesto. Stir to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve the desired sauce consistency.
Serve the nut-free basil pesto pasta in bowls, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1854 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 147.1 g | 189% | |
| Saturated Fat | 33.1 g | 166% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 80 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 8499 mg | 370% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 92.8 g | 34% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.3 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 51.3 g | 103% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1206 mg | 93% | |
| Iron | 4.4 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 296 mg | 6% | |
*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.
