Perlini Pasta with Pesto
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant Perlini Pasta with Pesto, a dish that marries simplicity and gourmet flavor. Featuring tender, bite-sized Perlini pasta enveloped in a velvety homemade pesto sauce, this recipe is a celebration of fresh ingredients like fragrant basil, roasted pine nuts, and creamy Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights yet impressive enough for guests. The addition of reserved pasta water perfectly balances the sauce for a silky finish, while a garnish of more Parmesan and basil adds an elegant touch. Whether you're craving a quick, vegetarian dish or looking to spotlight classic Italian flavors, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Perlini pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 whole Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Perlini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
With the food processor running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until it forms a smooth and creamy pesto sauce. Scrape down the sides as needed and blend again. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the cooked Perlini pasta.
Transfer the drained pasta into a large bowl. Add the pesto sauce and reserved pasta water, tossing gently until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce has slightly thinned.
Serve the Perlini Pasta with Pesto immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2904 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 175.5 g | 225% | |
| Saturated Fat | 40.8 g | 204% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 95 mg | 32% | |
| Sodium | 4190 mg | 182% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 251.4 g | 91% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.1 g | 47% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.4 g | ||
| Protein | 92.4 g | 185% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1448 mg | 111% | |
| Iron | 8.5 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 992 mg | 21% | |
*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.
