Pasta with Pesto and Parmesan
Transform your weeknight dinners with this irresistibly fresh and flavorful Pasta with Pesto and Parmesan recipe—a true celebration of classic Italian cuisine! Featuring al dente pasta tossed in a creamy, homemade pesto sauce made with fragrant basil, nutty pine nuts, savory garlic, and rich extra virgin olive oil, this dish is elevated with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy schedules, this recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it a quick yet elegant option for family meals or casual entertaining. Serve it piping hot with a garnish of basil leaves and extra Parmesan for added flair, and watch it become an instant favorite. Whether you're searching for a quick pasta recipe, pesto pasta ideas, or easy Italian dishes, this recipe is sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti or preferred pasta
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 2 units garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 liters water (for boiling pasta)
- 2 tablespoons salt (for boiling pasta)
Instructions
Fill a large pot with water, add 2 tablespoons of salt, and bring it to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, add the spaghetti or preferred pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and a teaspoon of salt. Pulse until the ingredients are coarsely blended.
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Stop to scrape down the sides if necessary.
Add grated Parmesan cheese to the pesto and pulse a few more times to combine. Adjust the seasoning with black pepper to taste. Set the pesto aside.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Return the drained pasta to the pot and add the pesto. Toss the pasta until evenly coated. If the mixture seems too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few whole basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
604 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 43.4 g | 56% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.6 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 18 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 4429 mg | 193% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g | ||
| Protein | 19.3 g | 39% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 381 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 220 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.
