Description
A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish featuring fresh basil pesto, perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (linguine, spaghetti, or penne)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta is cooking, combine basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic in a food processor.
- Pulse until ingredients are finely chopped.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth.
- Season pesto with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the pesto.
- Add a little reserved pasta water at a time, tossing until the sauce coats the pasta evenly and reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, you can substitute sunflower seeds or omit the nuts.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the pesto for a brighter flavor.
- You can add cherry tomatoes or grilled chicken for extra flavor and protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 600-700 calories (will vary based on specific ingredients and portion size)
- Sugar: Low
- Sodium: Moderate
- Fat: High
- Saturated Fat: Moderate
- Unsaturated Fat: High
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Moderate
- Fiber: Low
- Protein: Moderate
- Cholesterol: Moderate