Pesto Noodles
Elevate your weeknight dinners with these vibrant and flavorful Pesto Noodles, a simple yet gourmet dish that’s ready in just 25 minutes! Featuring al dente spaghetti coated in a silky, homemade basil pesto bursting with fresh flavors from aromatic basil, nutty pine nuts, garlic, and rich Parmesan cheese, this recipe is a celebration of wholesome ingredients. The addition of pasta cooking water ensures a perfectly creamy texture, while a splash of optional lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness. Perfect for busy nights or entertaining guests, this quick and easy pasta dish is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for the ultimate comfort meal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Spaghetti or noodles of choice
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 0.33 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Pasta cooking water
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the noodles and set them aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse the ingredients until they’re coarsely combined. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning as needed. You may also add a tablespoon of lemon juice for brightness if desired.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles with the pesto sauce. Add the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to help coat the noodles evenly and create a slightly creamy texture.
Toss the noodles until they are fully coated with the pesto. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2028 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 149.2 g | 191% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.5 g | 123% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 26 mg | 9% | |
| Sodium | 1433 mg | 62% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 135.2 g | 49% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.8 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g | ||
| Protein | 42.8 g | 86% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 507 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 10.7 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 828 mg | 18% | |
*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.
