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A vibrant bowl of pesto pasta garnished with fresh basil leaves

Pesto Pasta

This delicious pesto pasta recipe is incredibly easy to make and can be on your table in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 400 g Spaghetti
For the Pesto
  • 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup Pine nuts
  • 2 Garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Food processor
  • Large bowl

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
Making the Pesto
  1. Combine basil, pine nuts, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese in a food processor.
  2. While blending, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth, then season with salt and pepper.
Combining Everything
  1. Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to a large bowl, then stir in the prepared pesto until evenly coated.
  2. Gradually add some of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency and make the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.

Notes

For extra flavor, toast the pine nuts lightly before adding them to the pesto. You can also adjust the amount of garlic to your liking. Feel free to add cherry tomatoes or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for an extra touch of freshness.