Spaghetti with Pesto
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of homemade Spaghetti with Pesto—a quick and easy pasta recipe elevated by the fragrant blend of fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and creamy Parmesan cheese. This classic Italian dish delivers bold and fresh flavors, complemented by hints of garlic and a splash of lemon juice for a zesty twist. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe pairs perfectly with al dente spaghetti, coated in the rich, herby pesto sauce for an irresistibly silky finish. Ideal for busy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this crowd-pleaser is easily customizable and best served warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil for a restaurant-quality presentation. Keywords: Spaghetti with Pesto, basil pesto recipe, easy pasta dishes, quick Italian dinners.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small dry skillet, toast the pine nuts over medium heat until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Be careful not to burn them.
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper. Pulse a few times to combine the ingredients.
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice until the pesto is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Once the spaghetti is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti thoroughly.
In a large bowl, combine the hot spaghetti with the pesto. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated, adding a little of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
519 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.3 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.8 g | 34% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 658 mg | 29% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.6 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.9 g | ||
| Protein | 12.0 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 164 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 206 mg | 4% | |
*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.
