Perlini Pasta with Pesto
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant Perlini Pasta with Pesto, a dish that marries simplicity and gourmet flavor. Featuring tender, bite-sized Perlini pasta enveloped in a velvety homemade pesto sauce, this recipe is a celebration of fresh ingredients like fragrant basil, roasted pine nuts, and creamy Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights yet impressive enough for guests. The addition of reserved pasta water perfectly balances the sauce for a silky finish, while a garnish of more Parmesan and basil adds an elegant touch. Whether you're craving a quick, vegetarian dish or looking to spotlight classic Italian flavors, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
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Ingredients
- 12 oz Perlini pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 whole Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Pasta cooking water
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Perlini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
Step 3
With the food processor running, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until it forms a smooth and creamy pesto sauce. Scrape down the sides as needed and blend again. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Step 4
Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the cooked Perlini pasta.
Step 5
Transfer the drained pasta into a large bowl. Add the pesto sauce and reserved pasta water, tossing gently until the pasta is evenly coated and the sauce has slightly thinned.
Step 6
Serve the Perlini Pasta with Pesto immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (716.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2903.7 |
| Total Fat 175.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 40.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g | |
| Cholesterol 95.2mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4189.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 251.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 11.4g | |
| Protein 92.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1447.5mg | 0% |
| Iron 8.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 992.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories