Pasta Pesto

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this classic Pasta Pesto recipe, a quick and easy dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or relaxed gatherings. Featuring al dente pasta coated in a velvety homemade pesto sauce, this dish sings with the freshness of basil, the nutty richness of Parmesan cheese and pine nuts, and the zesty brightness of lemon juice. The creamy sauce, made effortlessly in a food processor, is delicately balanced with garlic and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for a luxurious texture. Perfectly customizable, this dish can be garnished with extra Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, or fresh basil for an elegant touch. Ready in just 22 minutes, this pasta recipe is a crowd-pleaser bursting with flavor and comfort. Keywords: easy pasta recipe, homemade pesto sauce, quick dinner idea.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:12 mins

Total Time:22 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g Pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine)
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 0.33 cup Pine nuts
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 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 sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure even blending.

Step 4

Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the rest.

Step 5

Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large bowl. Add the pesto sauce and toss until the pasta is evenly coated. Gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, to loosen the sauce and achieve your desired consistency.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 7

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan, a few pine nuts, or fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(980.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2921.1

Total Fat 213.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.2g
Cholesterol 190.5mg	0%
Sodium 5986.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 144.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.6g	0%
Total Sugars 4.8g
Protein 121.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2722.8mg	0%
Iron 8.5mg	0%
Potassium 867.8mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 64.4%

Protein: 16.3%

Carbs: 19.4%