Pasta with Pesto and Cheese
Indulge in the vibrant, herbaceous flavors of **Pasta with Pesto and Cheese**, a quick and delicious recipe that transforms simple pantry staples into an Italian-inspired masterpiece. Fresh basil leaves, rich Parmesan and Pecorino Romano cheeses, and fragrant garlic come together in a silky homemade pesto, blended with extra virgin olive oil and a touch of lemon juice for a bright finish. Tossed with perfectly al dente spaghetti, this dish is elevated with the creaminess of pine nuts and a hint of black pepper spice. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining, and it’s easily customizable to suit your taste. Serve it as a satisfying standalone meal or pair it with crusty bread and a fresh salad for a complete Italian feast.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Place it on high heat to bring it to a boil.
While the water is heating, prepare the pesto by adding fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, and black pepper to a food processor.
Pulse the processor until the ingredients are finely chopped.
With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto is smooth and creamy. Add lemon juice and give it another quick pulse.
Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
Return the drained pasta to the pot and add the pesto. Toss together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
525 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.1 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.1 g | 41% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 16 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 783 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 29.6 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 13.1 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 235 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 213 mg | 5% | |
*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.
