Description
A delightful dish of pasta tossed in a vibrant and aromatic pesto sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts.
Ingredients
- Pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine)
- Fresh Basil
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pine Nuts
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions. Stir occasionally until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Make the Pesto: In a food processor, combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. Pulse until finely chopped. Add the olive oil gradually while the processor runs until you achieve a smooth paste. Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper. If too thick, add reserved pasta water for desired consistency.
- Combine: In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the pesto until evenly coated. Add more reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil. Pair with a salad or crusty bread.
Notes
For a vegan twist, use nutritional yeast instead of cheese and substitute pine nuts with sunflower seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta, pesto, Italian cuisine, vegetarian, easy dinner