Indulge in the delightful simplicity of our Easy Basil Pesto Pasta recipe! With just a handful of ingredients, including fragrant basil, nutty pine nuts, and savoury Parmesan cheese, you can create a luxurious pesto sauce that will elevate any pasta dish.
In a few simple steps, you can create a dish that will impress your family and friends. Whether enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner or a leisurely weekend meal, this Easy Basil Pesto Pasta is sure to become a favourite in your recipe repertoire. Buon appetito!
Ingredients
- Fresh basil leaves
- Garlic cloves
- Pine nuts
- Freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pasta of your choice
Instructions
Prepare the Pesto Sauce
In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, crushed garlic cloves, pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped and well combined.
While the food processor is running, gradually pour in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth and creamy pesto sauce.
Season the pesto sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add your choice of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the pasta cooking water.
Combine Pasta and Pesto
In a large bowl or skillet, toss the cooked pasta with the prepared basil pesto sauce until evenly coated.
If the pesto pasta seems too thick, you can loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water.
Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning if needed with more salt and pepper.
Serve and Enjoy
Divide the pesto pasta among serving plates or bowls.
Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve immediately.
Variations
Toss in pieces of rotisserie chicken and or cooked vegetables.
Related Recipes
Here are a few other pesto recipes you may enjoy:
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📖 Recipe
Easy Basil Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves stems removed
- 2 cloves of garlic peeled and crushed
- ⅓ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese
- 8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Pasta of your choice
Instructions
Prepare the Pesto Sauce
- In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, crushed garlic cloves, pine nuts, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped and well combined.
- While the food processor is running, gradually pour in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth and creamy pesto sauce.
- Season the pesto sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add your choice of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of the pasta cooking water.
Combine Pasta and Pesto
- In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the prepared basil pesto sauce until evenly coated.
- If the pesto pasta seems too thick, you can loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water.
- Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning if needed with more salt and pepper.
Serve and Enjoy
- Divide the pesto pasta among serving plates or bowls.
- Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired. Serve immediately.
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