Spaghetti with Green Basil Sauce
Transform your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and flavorful Spaghetti with Green Basil Sauce, a quick and easy recipe that brings the essence of fresh basil to your table. This dish combines perfectly al dente spaghetti with a silky pesto-inspired sauce made from aromatic basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and rich extra virgin olive oil. Toasted pine nuts and a hint of fresh lemon juice elevate the sauce with nutty and zesty undertones, making every bite irresistibly delicious. Ready in just under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving a light yet satisfying meal. Serve it topped with additional Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh basil for a restaurant-quality finish that’s as beautiful as it is tasty.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Dried spaghetti
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 2 pieces Garlic cloves
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 0.5 cups Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 3 liters Water (for boiling)
Instructions
Bring 3 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions (approximately 10-12 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the green basil sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, pine nuts, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Blend the ingredients until a smooth, vibrant green sauce is formed. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the processor to ensure everything is evenly blended.
Once the spaghetti is cooked to al dente, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the rest of the water from the pot.
Return the drained spaghetti to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the green basil sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly.
If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, to loosen the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
Serve the spaghetti immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3485 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 186.2 g | 239% | |
| Saturated Fat | 61.0 g | 305% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 190 mg | 64% | |
| Sodium | 5980 mg | 260% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 313.5 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.3 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.3 g | ||
| Protein | 142.3 g | 285% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 2757 mg | 212% | |
| Iron | 15.9 mg | 88% | |
| Potassium | 1304 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.
