Nut-Free Pasta with Pesto and Cheese
Experience the vibrant flavors of this Nut-Free Pasta with Pesto and Cheese, a creamy and satisfying twist on the classic pasta dish that's perfect for those with nut allergies. This recipe swaps traditional pine nuts for a luscious blend of fresh basil, grated Parmesan, garlic, and zesty lemon juice, all emulsified with extra virgin olive oil for a velvety pesto sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's an easy yet elegant meal ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve the herbaceous pasta topped with extra Parmesan and juicy cherry tomatoes for a pop of color and freshness. Nut-free, kid-friendly, and irresistibly delicious, this pasta is sure to become a family favorite!
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Ingredients
- 400 grams Pasta (e.g., fusilli or penne)
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 100 grams Cherry tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese (extra, for serving)
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the nut-free pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper.
Step 3
With the processor running, gradually pour in the extra virgin olive oil and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Step 4
Return the drained pasta to the pot and place over low heat. Add the pesto sauce, tossing well to coat the pasta evenly. If the pesto is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 5
Slice the cherry tomatoes in halves for garnish, if using.
Step 6
Serve the pesto pasta hot, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes.
Step 7
Enjoy your delicious nut-free pasta with pesto and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (923.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2457.3 |
| Total Fat 173.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 54.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 151.4mg | 0% |
| Sodium 5541.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 138.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 7.8g | |
| Protein 103.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 2297.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 3.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 681.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories