Pesto Pasta

Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and flavorful Pesto Pasta recipe, a classic Italian dish that’s as simple as it is delicious. Featuring a creamy, herbaceous homemade pesto made from fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, zesty garlic, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this dish is a true celebration of bold, fresh flavors. The pesto’s silkiness is achieved by blending extra virgin olive oil as well as a splash of lemon juice for added brightness. Tossed with perfectly al dente pasta and ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy nights yet elegant enough to impress dinner guests. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil for a stunning presentation that is sure to please. This wholesome, crowd-pleasing dish is ideal for pasta lovers looking for a fresh, basil-forward twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Pasta
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup Pine nuts
• 2 units Garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice

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 basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse several times until the mixture is finely chopped.

Step 3

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to the food processor. Pulse a few more times to combine.

Step 4

With the processor running, slowly add the extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally.

Step 5

Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice if desired.

Step 6

Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Step 7

Return the pasta to the pot and add the prepared pesto. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding a bit of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.

Step 8

Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(665.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1962.8

Total Fat 155.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.5g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 3438.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 117.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 6.6g
Protein 42.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 558.3mg	0%
Iron 6.2mg	0%
Potassium 574.6mg	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: 68.7%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 23.0%