Classic Pesto Pasta
Classic Pesto Pasta is a fresh and vibrant Italian dish made with al dente pasta tossed in a rich, herbaceous basil pesto sauce — perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a flavorful side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/3 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: cherry tomatoes, extra Parmesan, or grilled chicken for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan. Pulse until finely chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly stream in olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, toss the hot pasta with the pesto. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan, cherry tomatoes, or protein of choice.
Notes
- Store leftover pesto in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze in ice cube trays for easy portions.
- Toast the nuts before blending for extra depth of flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Pesto also works well as a spread or dressing for salads and sandwiches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: pesto pasta, basil pesto, easy pasta recipe, Italian dinner, vegetarian pasta, quick meal
Find it online: https://yumcove.com/classic-pesto-pasta/