Pesto Spaghetti
Elevate your pasta night with the vibrant and flavorful Pesto Spaghetti, a quick and easy recipe that celebrates the bold goodness of fresh ingredients. This dish pairs perfectly al dente spaghetti with a homemade basil pesto sauce made from aromatic garlic, nutty pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and a splash of zesty lemon juice—all blended into creamy perfection with extra-virgin olive oil. Optional juicy cherry tomatoes can be added for an extra burst of freshness, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese makes each serving irresistible. Ready in just 30 minutes, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining. Whether you're craving a simple vegetarian dinner or looking to impress your guests, this pesto pasta recipe is a deliciously wholesome choice. Perfect keywords for SEO: pesto spaghetti, basil pesto recipe, quick pasta dinner, vegetarian pasta dish, easy pasta recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes (optional)
- 0.25 cup additional Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto sauce.
In a food processor, combine basil leaves, garlic cloves (peeled), pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped and well combined.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
If using cherry tomatoes, wash and halve them.
Once the spaghetti is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta.
Return the spaghetti to the pot and add the pesto, tossing to coat evenly. If needed, add reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to reach the desired consistency.
If using, add the halved cherry tomatoes and gently mix them into the pasta.
Serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
573 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.8 g | 54% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.1 g | 41% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 16 mg | 5% | |
| Sodium | 666 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.5 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.4 g | ||
| Protein | 14.8 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 238 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 333 mg | 7% | |
*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.
