Pasta al Pesto
Experience the ultimate simplicity and freshness with Pasta al Pesto, a timeless Italian dish that combines al dente pasta with a vibrant, homemade pesto sauce. This quick and satisfying recipe highlights the earthy aroma of fresh basil leaves, the subtle crunch of toasted pine nuts, and the rich creaminess of Parmesan cheese, all brought together by the silky smoothness of extra virgin olive oil. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or elegant dinner gatherings. Customize it with your favorite pasta shape, and don't forget to save some pasta water for a perfectly balanced sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan and a touch of fresh basil for a restaurant-quality finish that will transport your taste buds straight to Italy.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti or your choice of pasta
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup pine nuts
- 2 pieces garlic cloves
- 0.75 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.5 cup pasta cooking water
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
Step 3
Slowly add the olive oil into the food processor while it is running, blending until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.
Step 4
Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse a few more times to incorporate the cheese into the pesto sauce.
Step 5
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 0.5 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
Step 6
Return the hot pasta to the pot. Add the prepared pesto sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the pesto is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 7
Serve the pasta al pesto immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (850.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2715.7 |
| Total Fat 230.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 35.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 23.0g | |
| Cholesterol 40mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3047.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 136.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 11.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 4.7g | |
| Protein 50.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 547.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 9.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 750.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories