Description
A delightful blend of fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts combined with perfectly cooked pasta for a comforting and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- Pasta: Any variety, especially spaghetti or penne
- Fresh Basil: Vibrant leaves for the best flavor
- Garlic: Fresh cloves, or garlic powder in a pinch
- Pine Nuts: Adds buttery richness
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated or shaved, or nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option
- Olive Oil: High-quality extra virgin
- Salt: To taste
- Pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water, add pasta, and cook until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Make the Pesto: In a food processor, combine basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan. Pulse until chopped, then drizzle in olive oil while blending until smooth. Adjust the texture with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Combine and Flavor: In a large bowl, mix the pesto with drained pasta, adding reserved pasta water until it clings to each piece.
- Final Touches: Season with salt and pepper. Add extra parmesan, cherry tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms if desired.
- Serve: Plate, drizzle olive oil on top, and enjoy immediately!
Notes
For a twist, try using spinach or arugula instead of basil. Don’t forget to reserve pasta water to help blend the sauce and pasta beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pasta, pesto, Italian, vegetarian, family meal, simple dishes