Pesto Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and aromatic Pesto Pasta recipe, a true celebration of fresh, zesty flavors! Made with tender al dente pasta smothered in a silky homemade pesto sauce, this dish combines the earthy aroma of fresh basil and garlic with the nutty richness of pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. A hint of brightness from freshly squeezed lemon juice and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil bring the sauce to life, creating a balance of flavors that’s as irresistible as it is simple to make. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this 15-minute masterpiece is easy to prepare yet spectacularly delicious. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a garnish of basil for an elegant, restaurant-quality finish! Keywords: Pesto Pasta, homemade pesto, quick pasta recipes, easy pasta dinner, fresh basil recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup Pine nuts
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to the food processor. Pulse a few more times to combine.
With the processor running, slowly add the extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice if desired.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Return the pasta to the pot and add the prepared pesto. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding a bit of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1963 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 155.6 g | 199% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.3 g | 132% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 3439 mg | 150% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 117.3 g | 43% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.7 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.6 g | ||
| Protein | 42.1 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 558 mg | 43% | |
| Iron | 6.2 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 575 mg | 12% | |
*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.
