Pesto Noodles

Elevate your weeknight dinners with these vibrant and flavorful Pesto Noodles, a simple yet gourmet dish that’s ready in just 25 minutes! Featuring al dente spaghetti coated in a silky, homemade basil pesto bursting with fresh flavors from aromatic basil, nutty pine nuts, garlic, and rich Parmesan cheese, this recipe is a celebration of wholesome ingredients. The addition of pasta cooking water ensures a perfectly creamy texture, while a splash of optional lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness. Perfect for busy nights or entertaining guests, this quick and easy pasta dish is sure to become a family favorite. Serve it with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for the ultimate comfort meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Spaghetti or noodles of choice
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves
• 0.33 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Pasta cooking water
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the noodles and set them aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Pulse the ingredients until they’re coarsely combined. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well blended.

Step 4

Taste the pesto and adjust seasoning as needed. You may also add a tablespoon of lemon juice for brightness if desired.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles with the pesto sauce. Add the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to help coat the noodles evenly and create a slightly creamy texture.

Step 6

Toss the noodles until they are fully coated with the pesto. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(695.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1953.1

Total Fat 147.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 26.4mg	0%
Sodium 1634.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 132.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.1g	0%
Total Sugars 3.9g
Protein 40.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 389.5mg	0%
Iron 7.2mg	0%
Potassium 555.7mg	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: 65.7%

Protein: 8.0%

Carbs: 26.3%