Penne Pasta with Pesto
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Italy with this Penne Pasta with Pesto recipe—a quick and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any weeknight dinner. Featuring tender al dente penne paired with a velvety, homemade pesto sauce of fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, buttery pine nuts, and a hint of garlic, this recipe bursts with herbaceous, nutty goodness in every bite. The addition of extra-virgin olive oil and a splash of lemon juice enhances the sauce’s richness while maintaining a bright and zesty finish. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy-to-make pasta is ideal for busy schedules yet elegant enough for entertaining. Serve piping hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil for a touch of gourmet flair. Perfect for lovers of classic Italian cuisine, this dish combines freshness and flavor in every forkful.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Penne pasta
- 2 cups Basil leaves
- 1 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup Pine nuts
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
While the water is heating, prepare the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic.
Pulse several times until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.
With the processor running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil, and process until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
Add in salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Process until all ingredients are well combined. Set the pesto aside.
Once the water is boiling, add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the hot penne with the prepared pesto.
Toss the pasta to coat evenly, adding small amounts of the reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3347 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 201.2 g | 258% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.7 g | 189% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 23.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 89 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 3008 mg | 131% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 309.7 g | 113% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.1 g | 65% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.8 g | ||
| Protein | 92.6 g | 185% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 945 mg | 73% | |
| Iron | 19.1 mg | 106% | |
| Potassium | 1321 mg | 28% | |
*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.
